The futureFERNS programme is Netball New Zealand’s official Junior Netball programme. It begins in term 2 and is open for girls, boys and all year groups.

The futureFERNS programme is Netball New Zealand’s official Junior Netball programme. It is a programme that grows with the player and meets the players’ social, physical, and cognitive needs and abilities, focused on enjoyment.

Benefits are as follows:

• More touches on the ball which means more opportunity for development

• Emphasis on learning to develop the fundamental movement skills

• Less players on the court, therefore, less complicated decision making

• Modified equipment and court size- scaled down from the adult version to fit children

• More attempted and successful shots on goal

• Developing a lifelong love of netball

SEASON DATES

• We will be registering our teams on Friday 29th of March 2021. Teams will not proceed without parent volunteers to Coach and Manage teams. Please contact Ms Curry if you have any queries surrounding this alanac@silverdale.school.nz

• A basic coaching and umpiring workshop is available for parents who are going to be managers, coaches or umpires. There are two to choose from. These are to be held at the Hamilton City Netball Centre on Thursday 15th April and Saturday 1st of May. Workshops are for all levels of experience and provide information about the HCNC programme. Workshops will include practical sessions for coaches and umpires. All managers, coaches and umpires are encouraged to attend. Please register before the 12th of April on the website when registration opens: https://netballhamilton.org.nz/coaches Or contact: admin@netballhamilton.org.nz or call 07 847 4007

• Practices for Y3/4 and Y5/6 begin when we have established times with new coaches

• Both boys and girls can play unrestricted in futureFERNS and games are played as below:

Y1 - Y2 Thursdays at 4pm

May 13, 20, 27, June 3, , 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8

Y3; Y4 Tuesdays at 4pm or 5:15pm

May 18, 25

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

July 6, 27

August 3, 10, 17, 24

Y5; Y6 Weds at 4pm / 5pm / 6pm

May 19, 26

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

July 7, 28

August 4, 11, 18, 25

• Games are played primarily at the Hamilton City Netball Centre. Coaches will let the team know what time to arrive.

• Teams with more than 2 players of a different year group will be placed in the year group of the oldest player.

Game day: The Hamilton City Netball Centre Junior Co-ordinator will be available on your game day and throughout the week to answer questions about the overall programme, provide skill session activities prior to game day, updates on draws, and other programme aspects.

Junior Coaches have gone through futureFERNS training and coaching workshops. They will be available in the registration office and around court area to assist coaches and umpires on game days.

COMPETITION STRUCTURE

One-third court:

Years 1 & 2, 4-aside, skill based session followed by 2 mini 8 minute games.

Two-thirds court:

Years 3 & 4, 5-aside, skill based session followed by 4 x 8-minute quarters.

Full court:

Years 5 & 6, 6-aside, 4 x 8-minute quarters

Umpires

Each Y5 and Y6 team is to provide an umpire for his/her own game who may also be the coach.

Umpires may be parents, siblings or a secondary school student.

UNIFORM

• Students will be provided with a school t-shirt, which they will have to return at the end of the season. Black bottoms can be worn with this- leggings, shorts, etc. We would appreciate if parents help to keep the uniform in good condition. Children will also need their own clean pair of sneakers.

FEES

Fees per team vary a little depending on the number of players. In general the fees will be:

Y1 & 2 = $35

Yrs 3 - 6 = slightly less than $50

By returning the form, you are agreeing that the fee will be paid before the first game, (we will invoice you when we want this to be paid to the school office). If your child will be unable to pay the fee in one amount, please feel free to come and discuss this at the school office. Children will not receive their uniform, until the fee is paid. PLEASE DO NOT PAY THE FEE UNTIL YOUR CHILD GETS AN INVOICE.

EACH TEAM REQUIRES:

• A manager who stands on the side line and operates a fair subbing system, helps support the coach, helps with any ring-arounds and supports the team.

• A coach who will teach the basic skills needed. (Y1 & 2, this will happen at the Hamilton City Netball Centre before games). For the other teams, practices will happen each week either for part of lunchtime (1pm - 1.45) or straight after school at 3.10 – 4.00. No netball experience is required but the workshop is encouraged.

• Y5s & Y6s only: An umpire per team– can be the coach

If we have no coaches, managers or umpires volunteer we will be unable to enter teams.

PLEASE RETURN YOUR FORM NO LATER THAN THURSDAY 28th March, 2021