Netball played by young men is quickly rising in popularity and performances in east Auckland.
The Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre (HPNC) men’s under-18 team has just recorded an encouraging result at the national age-group championships, finishing runners-up to the Waitakere 1 side, one of the favoured home teams of tournament hosts Netball Waitakere.
The second placing represents a huge improvement in fortunes for the young guys of the HPNC under-18s, who in recent seasons ended up seventh in 2023 and sixth last year respectively.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our under-18 men’s netball team who were nothing short of inspirational at the Netball NZ Under-18 Champs held at Netball Waitakere,” says Deearna Buxton, the HPNC centre manager.
“They played with heart, strength, and determination, coming agonisingly close to taking out the title.”
There were nine teams contesting the men’s national under-18 champs, and the only round-robin pool game the HPNC side lost in the run-in to the final was to Waitakere 1, 39-22, who the eventually met in the championship decider.
In the final, the score margin between the sides was narrowed to 34-29.
“In every game, they gave it their all, representing our centre with pride, passion, and true sportsmanship,” says Buxton.
“Over the past three years, we’ve seen incredible growth in our men’s netball programme.
“It’s a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication of our players, coaches and supporters.
“It’s also fantastic to see the men’s netball space continuing to grow here at HPNC.
“The talent, energy, and commitment on display is exciting for the future of our game.
“We encourage everyone to get involved and give it a go,” Buxton says.
“The sport is stronger with more voices and more players on court.”
Buxton pays tribute to the team’s coach Chrissy Grey, who says the final was a pulsating occasion, because for the first time the side was playing on an indoor court in front of a large, excited crowd at Trusts Stadium, Henderson.
“It was huge for them, the audience, the exposure,” says Grey, who adds most of the players in this year’s squad will be available for the same age-group tournaments in 2026.
Meanwhile, the HPNC young women’s under-18s finished 11th out of 35 sides from across the country at the nationals.
- Club competition finals day at Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre is on Saturday, August 23.
- Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre appreciates the sponsorship of its representative sides this season from NZV8, ‘New Zealand’s leading V8 magazine and V8 authority, covering everything from hot rods to muscle cars, drag racing and circuit racing through to classics and late model high performers’: www.nzv8.co.nz
- And Nicholls Group (www.nichollsgroup.co.nz), a family owned and operated property company based in Auckland, which ‘understands the importance of giving back to the community and have proudly supported in the past local events such as Shelly Park School Colour Fun Run and Howick Primary School Jubilee, and continue to support local sporting clubs’.
