Invercargill Netball Centre (INC) is set to change the look and feel of Men’s and Mixed netball for 2021.

Off the back of what was a turbulent year, INC have made some exciting new changes for Mixed and Men’s netball for the coming year.  Hayley Sanford Centre Manager for INC said “Covid-19 has put into perspective the need to deliver our competitions and programs with a clear purpose of why we do what we do and the participant is at the forefront of our decision making”.   

INC have a new competition for Mixed teams that will offer a fast-paced alternative for all players.  “This is an exciting new venture for INC an opportunity to align with and support Southland Men and Mixed Netball (SMMN)” Sanford said.  SMMN President Angee Shand agreed.  “We are stoked to have another opportunity to work with the crew from INC, especially on Mixed Netball which is an incredibly exciting version of our game. Mixed Netball has had its own National tournament since 2004 and we’ve only had Southland representation once – we’re looking forward to growing this and getting the mighty maroon & gold to Auckland every year!”

With a February start date, this competition will be short and sweet with a timely lead into Mixed Nationals in Auckland at Easter (2-5^th April) 2021.

The decision to push out their popular Men’s competition from February to a new start in May 2021 was made to better align with Men’s Nationals that take place in September each year.

Southland Men’s and Mixed Netball have been involved in the discussions and are excited to be forming a dynamic relationship with INC.  Sanford said, “Aligning our competitions with SMMN will benefit participants by offering exciting new opportunities as well as providing an obvious pathway for player development in Southland and in particular Men’s Netball. We want to ensure we offer the best product for the participant and that’s having quality netball available right up to Nationals, so the players are in peak form come game day”. 

INC has had impressive growth with numbers increasing each year for both their men’s and Just4Boyz competitions. Year 7-13 boys play in the Just4Boyz comp from September to November each year and with the Cadbury Series shining a spotlight on male participation, the future looks extremely bright for Men’s, mixed and boy’s netball in the South.  

Futher details on competition dates and formats will be released in the coming weeks.