It was the battle of North v South in Dunedin last night with two exceptional final encounters in the 2010 NZ Age Group Championships, but it was Auckland Waitakere that came out on top, winning both the U19 and U21 Championships.
Auckland Waitakere’s U21 team continued their unstoppable momentum, defeating talent laden 40 – 30 Southland in the final. In the U19 Championship Auckland Waitakere 1 had to dig deep to come out on top, beating Otago 39-34.
Throughout the week Auckland Waitakere and Southland had been the standout teams of the U21 competition. Spear-headed by the confidence from having ANZ Championship and NZU21 representatives on their team, Auckland Waitakere demonstrated a true representation of teamwork, pulling together and playing with phenomenal power, skill, and passion.
In the U19 competition, Otago had an opportunity for redemption after a loss earlier in the round robin to Auckland Waitakere, but Auckland Waitakere continued their dominance and edged out Otago 39-94.
Netball New Zealand Emerging Talent selector Leigh Gibbs has been pleased with the talent she has seen at this year's championships.
"As selectors we are excited to see new players talent identified at U19 level, but also it is great to see the U21 players we have identified showing good development" said Gibbs.
There were six ANZ Championship players and a number of NZ U21 players representing Auckland Waitakere and Southland in the final. This shows the elite level of talent that is forming among our younger teams.
Next week the U17 Netball championships will be held at the Papakura Netball Centre with 31 teams entered, starting on Monday.
Results:
Click here for 2010 NZAGC U21 & U19 Shooting Stats
Under 21's
1st Auckland Waitakere
2nd Southland
3rd Otago
4th Canterbury
5th North
6th Waikato
7th Western
8th Wellington
9th Counties Manukau
10th Otago Invitation
Tournament Selection
Amber Bellringer - Western
Kayla Cullen - Auckland Waitakere
Emma Iversen - North
Amy Latu - Auckland Waitakere
Bailey Mes - Auckland Waitakere
Jess Moulds - Otago
Natalie Mourits - Waikato
Julianna Naoopu - Southland
Stacey Peeters - Southland
Jaimee Power - Otago
Hayley Saunders - Otago
Te Paea Selby-Rickit - Otago
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit - Southland
Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick - Auckland Waitakere
Jo Trip - Canterbury
Umpires of the Final
Laura Hayes
Michael Wyllie
Res: Wendy Speck
Bench Officials of the Final
Julie Erskine
Gail Benseman
Bernice Robertson
Pauline Coultas
Lyn Wilson
Under 19's
1st Auckland Waitakere 1
2nd Otago Gold
3rd Waikato Red
4th Taranaki Western
5th Bay of Plenty
6th Mid Canterbury
7th Wellington
8th Counties Manukau
9th North
10th Christchurch
11th Tasman
12th Waikato Black
13th Auckland Waitakere 2
14th Otago Blue
15th Manawatu
Tournament Selection
Claire Adams - Otago Gold
Tessa Bekkers - Otago Gold
Gina Crampton - Otago Gold
Jamie Johns - Auckland Waitakere 1
Phoeniz Karaka - Auckland Waitakere 1
Tuaine Keenan - Auckland Waitakere 1
Nicola Mackle - Mid Canterbury
Josie Matuku - Taranaki
Samon Nathan - North
Jenna O'Sullivan - Taranaki
Greer Patterson - Taranaki
Rebecca Robinson - Auckland Waitakere 1
Lesley Simone - Auckland Waitakere 1
Kirra Taane - Waikato Red
Geneva Tavita - Auckland Waitakere 1
Jordan Webber - Waikato Red
Portia Woodman - Auckland Waitakere 1
Umpires of the Final
Lisa Murphy
Moira Willox
Res: Ceri Hills
Bench Officials for the Final
Kay Norris
Kim Hillgrove
Sue George
Dianne Mears
Shelley Fleury