NZ U17 Age Group Championships Start Today

NZ U17 Age Group Championships Start Today

Monday 22nd July, 2013: Thirty-three teams from all around New Zealand start their quest for the Anna Rowberry Cup today as the NZ Age Group Championships U17 Tournament begins in Hastings.

Representative teams from all five netball zones will play at the Hawkes Bay Regional Sports Park over the course of four days, culminating in the Grand Final on Thursday afternoon.

The Tournament is always hotly contested and is the first time school age players get the opportunity to come under the scrutiny of Netball New Zealand selectors. Netball Manawatu are the current NZU17 Champions, winning the Anna Rowberry Cup in 2012.

Former Silver Fern Captain and trophy namesake Anna Stanley (nee Rowberry) says the Age Group Tournaments were always some of her favourites.

“For me, it was the first time I got to test my netball skills against other girls the same age.

“I learnt so much about team work, and it was inspiring to be around so many other girls just as passionate about netball as I was.”

“It’s always so much fun being together as a group and that has always been the best thing about netball for me, the people and relationships. Some of those team mates from my teens are still my really good friends today,” Stanley said.

Stanley admits being selected from high school teams into representative teams is a big step up.

“You can always see the players who thrive and manage to control their nerves. Remember, some of these players would have never been on a plane before, let alone representing their netball centres away from home. It’s an exciting time for them.

Stanley moved up through New Zealand Age Group teams to captain the Silver Ferns and has the enviable record of not losing one Test Match while at the helm.

Stanley and her family recently moved to Melbourne to begin a new chapter in their lives with Anna’s husband Jeremy taking up a new position at a Melbourne Hospital. The family have all settled in well and Stanley can still be seen on New Zealand television, commentating on the ANZ Championship throughout the season.

The New Zealand Age Group Championships U17 start Monday July 22nd through until Thursday 25th July at the Hawkes Bay Regional Sports Park in Hastings.

ENDS

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