Netball magic showcases Claudelands this weekend

It’s game on at Claudelands Arena this Sunday (8 April) when the state of the art facility showcases its credentials in the ANZ Championship trans Tasman netball league.

The tussle between top teams Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic and Auckland’s LG Mystics is the first of three ANZ Championship matches being played this season at the fledgling events facility.

The matches and court side set-up will also be a good run in for the international netball Quad Series in November which will see the Silver Ferns and Australian Diamonds take each other on, alongside a game between England and South Africa.

The court with its 882 sections of 22mm European Beech sports floor made by Europe based Junckers, takes six people around eight hours to lay. It takes two people another four hours to mark up the court to international specifications.

Seating capacity for the match is over 4,000 people, and Sky TV coverage will see three fixed cameras and 8 cameras roaming courtside.

Accessible seating is some of the best in the house, with these needing to be booked direct through Ticketek.

Hamilton City Councillor Margaret Forsyth, a former Silver Fern and current Silver Fern selector, says the facility will be an outstanding netball venue.

“I have no doubt both players and spectators will love Claudelands Arena and I am looking forward to the high profile trans-Tasman and international matches coming up.

“It’s great to have a facility of this calibre here in Hamilton and I look forward to it’s netball debut at an elite level this weekend.”

For more information on Claudelands visit www.claudelands.co.nz