Coaching

Philosophy

Netball New Zealand’s objective in running an U23 programme is to bridge the gap between club/age group/secondary school level and to provide a pathway for players and coaches as well as umpires and other officials towards the ANZ Championship.

The 19-23 age group has been identified as an area with a high drop-off of player numbers, resulting in the U23 competition being prioritised by Netball New Zealand and the five new netball zones as a key competition in the calendar.

Often, players take a break from netball during this time due to study or travel and when they return to netball at age 21 or 22, they have missed the window of opportunity to compete at the U21 level. In the past, U21 team entries have often taken players from the U19 age-group, which have then subsequently pulled from U17 teams – meaning players are playing out of their age group.

It is hoped the majority of players considered for U23s have been identified within their zone competitions after coming through the ranks of U17s and U19s. While much of this rationale focusses on players, there are similar or associated objectives with the development of coaches and officials to support the implementation of the U23 competition.

How It All Works

Zones may determine their own trial/selection/development squad processes for the selection of their teams. Netball New Zealand will require the naming of the team (up to 12 players) by 28 June 2013.

Selection Guidelines

Age group for selection for the U23 teams is:

• Over 19 and under 23
• Each team may have two age exemptions:
  • Up to two players may be either/or under 19 or over 23 (as at 1 January in the year of the competition)
  • Reason – to ensure that the U23 teams entered are primarily focusing on the age group they are to target.
• ANZ Championship Players:
  • Players contracted to an ANZC team are to play for the zone U23 team that aligns with the ANZC team to which they are contracted
  • All ANZC players who are under 23 are automatically eligible for the zone U23 team.
  • Reason - This is to:
    • 1.    minimise the workload and travel that would be required with this extra team on top of their ANZC requirements
    • 2.    The U23 competition runs across the ANZC Finals Series
    • 3.    The ANZC coaching staff and the zone U23 coaching staff are expected to work together to ensure the best management of players in this situation
  • However it should be noted that – ANZC players are not contracted to play U23 and may elect not to play in this competition or;
  • If they are U19 they may elect to return to their primary centre and play in the U19 team – regardless of whether it is aligned to their ANZC team.


Format

Round Robin Zone Group Weekend

• These may be played on either the 29/30 June or 6/7 July – the Zone Group may determine the date and also the venue for these games – that is by agreement between the zones.
• NNZ will cover the venue hire and the appointment of umpires for these games.
• Northern and WBOP will enter two teams per zone.
• Central/Mainland/South will enter one team per zone.
• Games will consist of four 15-minute quarters

Finals Week

• Four days Monday to Thursday – culminating in semi-finals and final play-offs
• Hosted alongside the National U19 event
• ASB Sports Centre in Wellington – 15-18 July

Draw

NNZ is responsible for the draw:

• Format – round robin followed by semi-finals and final play-offs
• There may be two games per day for teams, however between the end of one game and the start of the next there will be a minimum of four hours.
• Where possible, if teams play two games on one day it will be followed by a day of only one game (exception may be the round robin first weekend)

Replacement Players

• As this competition is being conducted in parallel to the finals series of the ANZ Championship, if a player is required by their ANZC team to play, then replacement players may be accepted into the U23 team.
• The full process for this will be outlined in the competition rules

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