The number of students playing netball at secondary school level is on the rise in the Netball Central Zone.
School Sport New Zealand participation data from its annual census shows netball is the largest secondary school participation sport nationally, and boasts the largest female participation with more than 25,000 females playing. Football is second with about 15,000 and volleyball with just under 7000.
In the Netball Central Zone, which takes in Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Kapiti and Wellington regions, figures show an 11 percent rise in secondary school numbers.
And those statistics delight Netball Central's chief executive Ann Hay.
“In the secondary space where there's often a decline in membership we are growing - we had 860 more players in 2024 than in 2023.”
Total secondary school participation in the Netball Central zone tallied 8390 in 2024, up from 7530 in 2023. For juniors (years 1-8) figures rose three percent, totalling 16,187. Seniors remained at 6130 teams.
The overall total of 36,237 netball players across the region reflects the fact that the sport has evolved and remained relevant for more than 100 years, says Hay.
“Netball is a space where females have been empowered to be leaders for a century now, and this continues today,” says the retired international and national umpire.
“Sport is also a great connector. We have seen that time and time again when sports clubs become a focal point in local disasters.
“Netball is the ultimate team sport where you need to rely on multiple positions to achieve success and it's multi-generational - there are grandmas, mums and daughters that have a long-time connection to the game.”
The Taru/Toma whānau are a perfect example. Martha Taru is a stalwart of the game in the Wellington region.
She is Netball New Zealand's NZ Volunteer Community Champion for 2024, was named in the 2020 New Year's Honours list for her 50-year contribution to the sport and is president of what is known as one of New Zealand's top netball clubs, PIC (Pacific Island Church).
She coaches and manages teams of all levels, including daughter Ariki Toma's PIC team and granddaughter Astyn's Wellington East Girls’ College Junior A team.
Ariki is following in her mother's footsteps, coaching Wellington East's senior A team, a PIC premier team and the Wellington black under-16 rep team. Ariki's eldest daughter Cyan plays and coaches for Wellington East while youngest daughter Astyn plays for East and the under-13 Māori rep team for Ikaroa ki te Tonga.
“We're usually at the netball courts first thing Saturday morning through to the last round of the day,” says Taru.
“We're either playing, coaching or supporting each other or one of our school or club teams. We love it and in particular the connection netball brings not only for us as a family but the friendships we have made along the way.”
Their passion portrays netball's longevity and demonstrates why it remains the largest participation sport at secondary school level.
“Vision, leadership, adaptability and evolution are all key reasons, but it's also an accessible sport where costs are relatively low compared to other codes,” says Hay.
“Netball courts can be found in every community, at schools, netball centres and council facilities. All you really need is a ball and bibs.”
Centres throughout the Netball Central region have also been instrumental in growing the sport through various initiatives, says Game Development Lead Georgia Cole.
Netball Wairarapa held a festival day in early 2024 after identifying a need to grow participation in the junior space. It resulted in a big boost in numbers.
A secondary school boys league and a men's league has bolstered male participants in Hawke's Bay, while Netball Manawatu has run school programmes targeting boys and students who have never played before.
Player development programmes designed to help grow skill levels and fundamental movements of under-14s are run out of Taranaki, Kāpiti, Wellington and Hutt Valley too.
“These programmes attract a lot of rangatahi. They don't exclude anyone that wants to give it a go and it finishes off with a large festival day which is a lot of fun for everyone,” says Georgia.
Some centres offer fun initiatives like walking netball and holiday programmes. There are roadshows too involving the Pulse players which attract plenty of interest throughout the region.
“Netball's growth shows its power to connect, inspire and endure. It is more than a game, it is built on community,” says Hay.