Hastings High School Old Girls Netball Club Celebrates Century Of Play

Hastings High School Old Girls Netball Club will celebrate its centenary next year, marking a legacy that began on the courts of 1920s Hastings and now reaches players across Hawke’s Bay and beyond.

The club formed in 1926 and was one of the first to register with the newly established Hawke’s Bay Basketball Association. Beginning with old girls from Hastings Technical High School, it then expanded when Hastings Girls’ High School opened, and later Karamū High School.

President Meredith Guy says the centenary is a “big deal”.

“It is a special milestone for the club and for everyone who has been part of its journey. As the oldest netball club in the country, we are proud to be celebrating a century of netball, friendship, and fierce competition.”

She says people join for the netball but stay for the friendships. “That’s what’s kept us going for 100 years.”

That history has been preserved in carefully stored memorabilia, from early pinnies and uniforms to trophies, manuals and records dating back nearly a century.

These will be on display during the centenary weekend on May 15–16, 2026. Festivities will open with a Huia match on the Friday night, followed by a formal dinner at Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts and Events Centre. A Saturday gathering at the courts will give members and supporters the chance to view the memorabilia and reconnect.

Fundraising is already in full swing, and people associated with the club are encouraged to register.

Life member Dionne Thomas, who joined as a player in 1999 and has since served as a manager and umpire, says the centenary is a chance to recognise everyone who has contributed to the club’s success and longevity.

“It has always been full of good women who not only play, but also manage, umpire, coach, do the finances, fundraise and sort the uniforms – everything needed to keep the club going,” she says.

She says committed, friendly people are the lifeblood of the club.

“The club is a family. We keep in touch, have social get togethers. We have a committed group of life members that still attend games, prize givings and social events.”

Since the club’s 21st birthday, teams have carried native bird names, starting with the Huias and later including Robin, Tui, Akina, Kea, Kiwi, Weka, Wren, Kotare, Kereru, Piwakawaka, Takahe, Kakapo, and Moa.

Membership has fluctuated over the years, with only three teams registered in 1966, falling to one in the early 1970s, before expanding again to eight in 1977. Now, team numbers have remained at about 10 per season.

Last year, the club claimed its first top Hawke’s Bay netball championship in 24 years when the Huia team beat Napier Girls’ High School 48–43 in the Super Club Final.

Life Member Leeanne Jude says it’s not unusual to see three generations playing in the same colours or to have players return after years away.

“My journey with HHSOG has been incredibly rewarding. Whether as a player, coach, supporter, or committee member, I’ve seen firsthand the impact this club has on people’s lives. It’s been a place of growth, connection, and happiness. This is a place where lifelong friendships are made,” she says.

“Some teams have been together for decades. Even if people take time out for work or family, they often come back and sometimes it’s their daughters or granddaughters coming through too.”

For Meredith, helping take the club through to 100 years is important.

“It’s about acknowledging the people who have built this club and the community it serves – and setting it up for the next century. We’ve got the history, the friendships and the passion. That’s what makes this club special.”

To register your interest visit: https://www.sporty.co.nz/hhsognc/100-years-celebration/100-years-celebration

© Scoop Media