Netball Central Zone

17/09/2026

🌿 Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori | Māori Language Week 🌿

Kia kaha te reo Māori!

At Netball Central Zone – Poitarawhiti Pokapū, we recognise that te reo Māori is a taonga, a treasured part of Aotearoa’s identity, culture and heritage.

For us, te reo Māori isn’t something we celebrate for one week of the year. It is woven into all that we do. From the way we communicate and connect with our whānau, Centres, clubs, schools and communities, to the way we name and shape our programmes, pathways and mahi, we are committed to creating spaces where te reo Māori is heard, seen, valued and used.

Our commitment is grounded in whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, pūkengatanga, rangatiratanga and kaitiakitanga, values that guide how we work together and support the growth of poitarawhiti across our rohe.

This Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, we encourage our netball community to give te reo a go, learn a new kupu, use it on court, share it with your teammates, or simply make space to hear and celebrate the reo around you.

🏐 Te reo Māori in netball

There are some great resources available to help bring te reo Māori into our game, including this poitarawhiti poster, which shares Māori language specific to netball: https://akopanuku.education.govt.nz/resources/96/netiporo-poster

25/08/2026

Netball Central Zone (NCZ) Emerging Talent
During the Lower North Island Secondary Schools Netball tournament being held in Wellington from 30 August to 3 September, Central Zone selectors will be observing players for selection into the North and South Zone tournaments to be held on the 19th and 20th of September. This is the start of the NCZ led talent development pathway.

Approximately 90 players in Year 12 or under will be selected to participate in the two Zone tournaments.
Year 13 players will be observed for possible selection into the NCZ National Netball League wider training squad. This squad receives a strength & conditioning training program, a couple of testing and skill development days, with a final trial in 2027.

Following the Zone tournaments, 30 players will be selected to attend NCZ Advanced Camp being held in Palmerston North on 17/18 October where players will receive position specialist coaching.
Following NCZ Advanced Camp, 20 players will be selected to attend the NNZ National Development Camp being held in Napier in January 2027.

So to all players at the LNISS tournament, enjoy your experience, play well, play fair and be the best netball player you can. The Central Zone emerging talent pathway starts here!

25/08/2026

Congratulations to our talented Central Zone officials 😁

Kirstyn Lloyd and Ann Hay - UAP
Angela Armstrong-Lush

Haere pai atu, Hoki pai mai!

World Netball has today announced the officials selected for the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027 Qualifier Oceania 🤩

Congratulations to you all!

The event will take place from the 14th - 18th September 2026 in Tonga.

To find out more, visit our website 👇

https://bit.ly/3TW4dtn

25/08/2026

National Appointments | UMPIRE & BENCH OFFICIALS

A huge congratulations to our Netball Central | Poitarawhiti Pokapū umpires, umpire coaches and bench officials who have been appointed to two of Aotearoa’s pinnacle domestic tournaments.

We are incredibly proud of the mahi, commitment and continued development shown by our people. These appointments are a fantastic recognition of the work happening across our Zone and provide another opportunity for our officials to test themselves, learn, grow and contribute at the highest domestic level.

NETBALLSMART NETBALL NZ OPEN CHAMPS
10–13 September 2026
Rodney Green Arena, Napier

NZ SECONDARY SCHOOLS NETBALL CHAMPS
6–9 October 2026
Auckland Netball Centre, Auckland

From the courts across Taranaki, Manawatū, Hawke’s Bay and Wellington to the national stage, we are incredibly proud of you all.

24/08/2026

📣 2026 National Sport Club Survey

Sport New Zealand, in partnership with AUT, is inviting people involved in community sport to share their experiences through the 2026 National Sport Club Survey.

Your feedback will help build a better understanding of what clubs are doing well, the challenges they are facing, and what support is needed to strengthen community sport across Aotearoa. 🇳🇿

If you’re involved with a sports club, we’d really appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete the survey.

👉 Have your say: https://aut.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ZAosCJdLj6E9qS

Every response helps contribute to the future of community sport.

The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

10/08/2026

📣 Nominations are OPEN for the 2026 WM New Zealand Volunteer of the Year Awards!
Know a Community Netball volunteer who's really stepped up? Someone with a great attitude who gives their all? Now's your chance to say thank you.
Get more information here > https://coaching.netballnz.co.nz/

📣 Nominations are OPEN for the 2026 WM New Zealand Volunteer of the Year Awards!

Know a Community Netball volunteer who's really stepped up? Someone with a great attitude who gives their all? Now's your chance to say thank you.

Get more information here >> https://bit.ly/4fesLpN

10/08/2026

🏐 RESOURCES

For all community coaches, at all levels, check out the Netball NZ Community Coaching Resource Site.

Stay up to date with the latest coaching resources, tools and ideas to support your season and session planning.

👉 Community Coaching Resources - https://coaching.netballnz.co.nz/

05/08/2026

📣 TEAM MANAGERS WORKSHOP

Calling all Team Managers!

Join us for a free online workshop designed to support and develop our Team Managers, with practical insights and kōrero to help you in your role.

📅 Monday 17 August
⏰ 6:30pm
💻 Online & FREE
🎤 Facilitator: Jill Clapcott – Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse Team & Operations Manager

Come along, connect, learn and share with other Team Managers.

🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/rcrddx1C39GPMyf57

21/07/2026

🏐 Your Voice Matters! 💬

The Voice of the Participant Survey is here, and we want to hear from YOU!

Whether you're a player, coach, umpire, volunteer, administrator or proud whānau supporter, your feedback will help shape the future of netball in our community.

🗣️ Have your say today:
https://surveys.sportnz.org.nz/extwix/p990295552117.aspx?l=9&NSO=16