Tasman sisters 12-year-old Summer and 10-year-old Eden Dove got a taste of the action when they met the superstars of netball on centre court at the Trafalgar Centre before the Tactix vs Pulse ANZ Premiership game on Sunday.
Summer and Eden, who attend Māpua School, were excited to have won the chance to meet captains Jane Watson (Tactix) and Clare Kersten (Pulse) and lead the teams onto the court as a part of the ANZ Future Captains programme. Eden’s best friend Isla Johnstone joined them courtside as a tenth birthday celebration all three girls will remember forever.
Both Summer and Eden agreed that their highlight was high-fiving the players and joining the captains centre court, where the Tactix won the coin toss. Eden says she felt like she wanted to jump in and join the game. Summer said, “I got a really strong high five from Tactix defender Karin Burger.”
When the final buzzer went and the Tactix took the win, it was big celebrations all round for Summer and Eden. Eden thought their courtside seats were the best in the house, while Summer said, “you could tell that the Tactix were going to win. They were a few points ahead the whole time.”
Superstar captain Jane Watson was a joint favourite of Summer and Eden’s. Summer said “she can fly! Wing defence Charlotte Elley was awesome too, she stopped the Pulse game a lot and got player of the day.”
Both sisters have followed in the footsteps of their mum Anna and play for the Māpua & Districts Netball Club. Their goal is to keep getting the ball in the hoop this season. Summer wants to try this technique after watching Tactix shooter Ellie Bird play, “she had one foot planted on the ground, then she steps wide to grab the ball then move in towards the goal - super close to shoot.”
ANZ Head of Sponsorship Sue McGregor says ANZ is committed to its support of netballers in Aotearoa from local Tasman players right up to the elite athletes in the ANZ Premiership and the Silver Ferns.
“That’s why we’re giving 94 young people from all over Aotearoa the chance to be part of the ANZ Premiership and to meet their netball heroes as an ANZ Future Captain. After such a tough year for the netball community in 2020, it’s great we can offer this once in a lifetime opportunity to our country's youngest netball fans and players. We hope this experience inspires them to remain passionate about their training and to try their very best on the court.”