Final NZ Age Groups U19/U21 results

The culmination of the U19 and U21 national Age Group Netball Championships produced contrasting results when the respective finals were held in Auckland today.

Western had a comprehensive 69-54 win over Waikato in the U21 final while Auckland Waitakere had to work harder to capture the U19 title when they beat Southland 31-28 in the final.

Throughout the tournament, which started on Monday, Western were the standout team of the U21 competition. That form continued into the final where they held a dominant edge from the outset.

Spearheaded by New Zealand U21 team members Hannah Broederlow and Alanah Cassidy and several national squad members, Western reaped the benefit of having the extra experience of these players in the mix.

The competition was played indoors for the first time this year and the U21s played hour-long games for the first time.

``Western were a good case in point of having players that were used to playing that length of game,’’ Netball New Zealand Talent Development Manager Leigh Gibbs said.

``They were better equipped at playing for the full hour and also their extra conditioning for that length of game shone out.

``An hour-long game is quite a different kettle of fish to the four by 10-minute games they have played in the past.’’

Gibbs felt the hour-long games had challenged the consistency levels but this would improve with more outings.

Last year’s U21 winners Otago finished fourth after being beaten 49-48 by Auckland Waitakere for third spot.

The U19 competition proved a lot closer across the board and that was reflected in the final.

Seventeen teams contested this competition where the draw rewarded consistency with the unbeaten Auckland Waitakere 1 and Southland reaching the final after easy semifinal wins.

This final proved a battle between contrasting styles with the southerners offering an uncompromising challenge while their opponents showed a willingness to throw the ball around.

``It was a good contest to see the two different styles,’’ Gibbs said.

``The move indoors has been really well received and made for some good netball without any interference from the elements.’’

Gibbs was pleased with the talent on show and said there were exciting pockets of potential sprinkled through both age groups which bode well for the future.

Next week, a national under-17 competition will be staged for the first time with 26 teams entered, starting on Monday, in Wellington.

U21 final results

1st Western
2nd Waikato
3rd Auckland Waitakere
4th Otago
5th Wellington
6th North
7th Canterbury
8th Counties Manukau

U21 Players of the Tournament

Jodi Beaumont – Western
Carli Botes – North
Hannah Broederlow – Western
Samantha Burkhart – Western
Alanah Cassidy – Western
Sam Durie-Aranga – Western
Rachael Fabling – Waikato
Larrissa Harrison – Waikato
Taylor Kells – Waikato
Stacey McFeeters – Wellington
Bailey Mes – Auckland Waitakere

U21 Attacking Player of the Tournament – Larrissa Harrison, Waikato

U21 Mid Court Player of the Tournament – Taylor Kells, Waikato

U21 Defensive Player of the Tournament – Jodi Beaumont , Western

U21 OVERALL PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT – Larrissa Harrison, Waikato


UNDER 19 RESULTS

1st Auckland Waitakere 1
2nd Southland
3rd North
4th Manawatu
5th Otago
6th Christchurch
7th Taranaki
8th Wellington
9th Tasman
10th Auckland Waitakere 2
11th Waikato Red
12th Bay of Plenty
13th Eastern South
14th South Canterbury
15th Waikato Black
16th Eastern North
17th Counties Manukau

U19 Players of the Tournament

Whitney Areaiti – Southland
Sheridan Bignall – Manawatu
Whitney Cassidy – Manawatu
Kayla Cullen – Auckland Waitakere 1
Shannon Francois – Otago
Kirby Heath – Tasman
Darrell Leota – Auckland Waitakere 1
Stacey Martin – North
Kendall McMinn – Southland
Tamsin Moala – Taranaki
Stacey Peeters – Southland
Ashleigh Smith – Southland
Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick – Auckland Waitakere 1
Lavinia Vaitohi – Auckland Waitakere 1
Portia Woodman – Auckland Waitakere 1

U19 Attacking Player of the Tournament – Lavinia Vaitohi, Auckland Waitakere 1

U19 Mid Court Player of the Tournament – Sheridan Bignall, Manawatu

U19 Defensive Player of the Tournament – Kendall McMinn, Southland


U19 OVERALL PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT – Lavinia Vaitohi, Auckland Waitakere 1