Forty-nine junior netball teams are representing Hautapu Sports in a 2025 winter season featuring successful development programmes, fresh ideas and a new Monday night competition.
More than 390 junior players have worn the club’s red uniforms, including many newcomers, thanks to the return of dedicated players, coaches and supporters.
Club volunteers generously give their time to deliver and support programmes to help grow the skills and development of Year 0-8 players.
Newly-appointed Junir Neball Coordinator Hannah McClure said the club was also fortunate to have student volunteers, who offer their time to coach or umpire netball games, demonstrating strong leadership and support for our junior players.
She was grateful to her predecessor, Jody Anderson, for her ongoing guidance and support during the year.
This season, the club ran 49 junior netball teams and expects a rise in numbers next season.
Forty-seven teams compete at the Cambridge Netball Centre, while two teams competitively represent Hautapu Sports in the Hamilton City Netball competition.
Here’s a round-up of Hautapu Sports’ progress on the junior netball courts:
Year 1 season wrap-up & Year 2 finale
Starting their season on May 6, the FutureFERNS programme for Hautapu’s Year 1 and 2 teams has provided an enjoyable and valuable introduction to netball.
Coaches and supporters have provided positive feedback on the programme’s impact on our young players.
The club’s Year 1 teams concluded their season in style on Tuesday July 22, celebrating with vibrant costumes and high energy across the netball courts.
As new friendships continue to flourish, our Year 2 teams are set to complete their season this week.
Saturday netball continues for Year 3-8 teams
The Cambridge Netball Centre do a fantastic job of running the futureFERNS programme for the Year 3 – 6 teams on Saturdays, with 38 Hautapu junior netball teams taking part each week.
With public holidays creating shorter weeks during the season, Cambridge Netball Centre continue to look for ways to support our future FERNS with more opportunities to help with the transition, as players grow and develop.
Players have had the opportunity to take part in tournaments from as early as Year 3, boosting the number of red netball dresses spread across the netball courts!
Hamilton competitions provides a good challenge for Hautapu 7A and 8A
Hautapu 7A and 8A have had a strong netball season, competing in the top A1 grade of their respective year groups.
With up to 40 teams in Year 7 and 62 in Year 8, both teams have faced challenging and rewarding matches.
With the challenge of each match, both Hautapu teams have consistently demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship on and off the court.
As the teams head into the final few weeks of their season, they are doing their best to finish in the top two placings of their respective grades.
Main photo: Hautapu 8A. Back (from left): Ava Chadwick, Dee Mita (coach), Tess Handcock, Rachel Rutter, Williamina Tauroa, Olivia James (Coach), Aaliyah Tiatoa. Front (from left): Madison Gurney, Kinli Van Geems, Eliana Taylor, Nevaeh Hemana-Paraha.
Monday night league for Year 7 and 8 players
Like many communities, Cambridge has experienced a decline in netball participation after Years 5 and 6, resulting in limited competition and development opportunities.
Past experience has shown the need to help bridge the gap between the netball competition in Cambridge, and surrounding communities.
As a result, Hautapu Sports have pioneered a five-week netball competition to support the growth and development of the wider competition.
Open to Year 7 and 8 players within the Waikato and Bay of Plenty netball zone, the competition runs from July 21 till August 18.
Teams play two games per night, and there is an opportunity to form mixed teams. The competition has 11 teams entered, with teams travelling from different communities, from as far as Waihi College.
It has been great to see the talent on the netball courts, including the dedication of those teams who have travelled far for this experience.
Hautapu Sports are happy to provide the community with this opportunity and grateful for those who continue to make the trip to Cambridge.
Following positive feedback, the club is already looking to build on this competition for next season.
This competition has been well received by the local community, in particular the Year 7 and 8 Hautapu netball teams that play in the Cambridge competition on Saturdays.
It has given our teams the opportunity to grow and develop, while providing the convenience of travel and community spirit.
What’s happening at your club
