Shooting stars launch the ANZ Championship

The ANZ Championship is set to revolutionise the way netball is played, viewed and supported throughout New Zealand and Australia – and it all begins tomorrow with a star-studded official launch event.

Prime Minister Helen Clark will be among the special guests at Auckland’s Britomart Pavilion who will be treated to two demonstration matches to launch the ANZ Championship.

As a curtain raiser, an all-star celebrity team featuring some of New Zealand’s favourite TV and radio stars, including Dancing With The Stars’ Miriama Smith and Stefano Oliveri, the boys from The Crowd Goes Wild, Dayna and Matt from Studio 2, and Sevens star and Code host Matua Parkinson, will don their bibs and pit their skills against one of the top-ranked secondary school netball teams in New Zealand, Auckland’s Mt Albert Grammar School.

The feature match sees a Dream Team of some of New Zealand’s greatest netball players going head to head against the ANZ Championship’s current stars. Temepara George and Leana de Bruin (LG Northern Mystics), Maria Tutaia and Brigette Tapene (Waikato/BOP Magic), Frances Solia (Suzuki Central Pulse), Elizabeth Manu (SKOPE Canterbury Tactix) and Jenny-May Coffin (Southern Steel) will face off against a Dream Team that includes former Silver Ferns Louisa Wall MP, Donna Wilkins (nee Loffhagen), Teresa Tairi and Tania Dalton.

Wayne Besant, Managing Director ANZ Retail Banking, says, “It’s easy to see why we’re into the ANZ Championship. The spirit, energy, teamwork and determination shown by the players are characteristics that inspire Kiwis and run parallel to our own brand and the passion of our staff.

“The ANZ Championship is set to be a fantastic and fun event, and at the heart of our sponsorship this year is our commitment to ensuring Kiwis and Aussies have unforgettable fan experiences.”

“That’s why we’ve launched the ANZ Championship Fan Club at www.anz-championship.com,” Mr Besant says. “The Fan Club provides registered netball lovers with exclusive email newsletters, competitions, and chances for fans to get closer to their heroes will all be up for grabs throughout the season.”

Tony Holding, General Manager, ANZ Championship, says, “Ten new teams, enhanced spectator experiences, live broadcast of matches – there’s so much to enjoy in this inaugural season of the ANZ Championship.

“The intense rivalry between Australia and New Zealand is certain to spill over on court as the teams duel over 17 weeks towards title glory. With five teams from each nation in action, only the most-talented and skillful of our athletes will take the court in this elite competition.”

The first ANZ Championship game will be played on Saturday 5 April in Wellington, when the Central Suzuki Pulse take on the Melbourne Vixens.

For more information on the ANZ Championship, see www.anz-championship.com   

ANZ Championship Launch

Thursday 27th March, 12pm-1pm

Britomart Pavilion, cnr Gore and Tyler Sts (behind Quay St), Auckland