After careful consideration, the Boards of Auckland Netball and Netball North Harbour, have decided that the remaining games of the official winter netball season will not be played with all winter competitions cancelled as from today.
With restrictions on gathering sizes limited to 10, there has been no netball activity taking place since Auckland moved into Level 3 on 12 August and subsequently level 2.5.
As the two largest netball centres in New Zealand, the overall welfare and safety of their members, gathering sizes and the number of risks and challenges that both centres were facing, were deciding factors in ending the season early, said Auckland Netball, CEO Dianne Lasenby.
“We are used to putting the game of netball out there for our members under all circumstances, so this decision was not made lightly. The team is already planning an exciting summer league for both competitive and social grades, to start in October after the school holidays, which will allow teams to play more netball this side of Christmas.
CEO of Netball North Harbour, Lynette Brady, added “ this decision will allow our schools and clubs to communicate this message to their players and provide certainty moving forward and like Auckland Netball, we will provide alternative leagues after the school holidays for all ages and abilities.
Netball New Zealand and Netball Northern Zone acknowledge and support the difficult decision that has been today by Auckland Netball Centre and Netball North Harbour in cancelling their official winter season said Phil Vyver, CEO Netball Northern Zone.
The Zone applauds the staff and volunteers in the centres who are doing their best for netball and their members in extremely difficult circumstances.
With a combined total of over 1600 teams, both centres wish to recognise that this year has been very disruptive for the sport including netball players and supporters and sincerely thank their members for their patience and adaptability shown over this short season.
