Waihi Netball Centre

09/09/2026

Congratulations to our recent umpire award recipients.

A huge congratulations to Zerlina Atkins who has been awarded her New Zealand Theory Award, and to our very own Umpire Coordinator, Louisa Jesperson, who gained her Centre Badge during the final nights of the season. What an incredible achievement for both of you.

These awards are a fantastic way to celebrate what has been an outstanding season for umpiring at Waihi Netball Centre. At the beginning of the season, we set some big goals for the growth and development of our umpire pathway, and it has been amazing to see those goals come to life.

This season saw the rollout of our new Umpire Pathway Programme and umpire bands, helping us create more opportunities for our umpires to develop, gain confidence and progress through the game. And the numbers speak for themselves… 36 new umpires joined us this season! That is an incredible achievement and such a positive step for the future of our game.

We also had 4 umpires endorsed this season, which is another fantastic milestone for our centre and a reflection of the commitment, hard work and support within our umpire community and our committee.

There is so much to be proud of, and we are in a wonderful space as we look ahead to 2027. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported our umpires throughout the season, and congratulations once again to Lina and Louisa on your well-deserved achievements.

08/09/2026

Mōrena whānau,

Waihi Netball Centre had some recognition in the recent Netball Waikato Bay of Plenty Zone news article.

Did you know Waihi Netball runs 100% on volunteers and we have all been working really hard in the background all year for the future of our game.

Here are some highlights:
Umpire Development Pathway
36 New Umpires
3 Year Strategic Plan
Committee Job Roles & Descriptions
Policies & Procedures

I am so proud of our committee and how much we have accomplished this year. Thank you to each and everyone of you.

Check out a small snippet of we have been up too here: https://www.sporty.co.nz/netballwbop/newsarticle/169898?newsfeedId=1933091&fbclid=IwdGRjcAUNP3BwZG9mBWZkaWQWUODYTjlTChElL5bDE1Kz6vF75qKDwGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6VNBzl9B-gVT6p7z80v3jsDBElO0QY1PHBcytEvewxqLoGdzi1tw3bSO7GUw_aem_nhlkwbNiz2gq1C6wK8c1_w

Waihi and Tokoroa Netball Centres Embark on Strategic Planning Journey Two netball centres in the Netball...

08/09/2026

🌸🏐 SPRING NETBALL 🏐🌸

Our recent closing night survey showed that spring netball is something our members would love to see back, so we’ve listened! 💗 We’re excited to provide an opportunity for our netball community to keep playing, connecting and enjoying the game beyond the regular season.

📅 Commences: Tuesday, 20 October
📅 Finishes: Tuesday, 24 November
⏰ Games from: 5:30 p.m.
🏐 Grades: Mixed Grade & Walking Netball
💰 Fees: $140 per team

Teams must have their own match ball, bibs and umpire.

To make it worthwhile for us to run the competition, we require a minimum of 8 teams. So, if you’ve been keen for a bit of spring netball, now’s the time to get your team together!

Let’s keep the courts buzzing, the connections growing and the love of the game going!

Stronger Together: Growing our Game, Growing our People.

Register your teams here: https://forms.gle/YyAZSQGe88NBbMZ6A

05/09/2026

Volunteer of the Month – August

August’s Volunteer of the Month is someone who truly embodies what it means to give back to our netball community.

Jess goes above and beyond every single week, pouring her time, energy and heart into making netball the best it can be. Her passion for the game and her positive vibes are inspirational, and her dedication has helped turn the atmosphere of our club around this year.

From coaching multiple teams and umpiring, to chairing committee meetings, organising fundraisers and taking our girls away to tournaments, Jess is constantly finding ways to support our players and help them grow. She has spent countless hours at the courts, creating a welcoming environment, making sure everyone feels included, and helping set up the best possible situation for next season. All of this while working and managing her own family life a true testament to her commitment and generosity.

She is hardworking, incredibly kind and supportive, and always willing to lend a hand. Her dedication to her team and our wider community does not go unnoticed.

Waihi Netball simply would not be what it is without her.

Our community is so incredibly grateful for everything she does. Thank you for your time, your energy, your kindness and for always bringing those positive vibes.

Congratulations Jess O’Brien and thank you for being such an incredible part of our netball whānau.

These are just some of the citations shared by our community voters.

04/09/2026

Evening whānau,

There are moments in netball that make you stop, smile, and feel incredibly proud of the people who represent our centre and today is one of those moments.

A huge congratulations to Jaylah Rolleston and Isabelle McCulloch on their selection for the 2026 Magic in the Making Development Camp!

These ladies were among 70 players selected from across more than 75 schools, making this an absolutely outstanding achievement. To have 2 of our Waihi Netball Centre members recognised at this level is something we are incredibly proud of.

Jaylah represented not only Waihi Netball Centre, but also her family, her kura, and all those who have supported her throughout her netball journey. We are so excited to see where this opportunity takes you. Congratulations, Jaylah. What an incredible achievement.

And another massive congratulations to our centre member Isabelle McCulloch, who represented Thames Valley Netball throughout the representative campaign and has also done our centre proud. It is wonderful to see our members achieving at regional level and continuing to make their mark in the wider netball community.

Both Jaylah and Isabelle have been part of an incredible representative season, competing across regional representative tournaments and the North Island Secondary Schools Netball Championships, and UNISS. To have our centre members selected and representing at these levels is a huge achievement.

And we cannot forget another fantastic accomplishment from Jaylah, Rylee Morgan, and Wairaraua Noa-Paul who were selected in the 2026 D-Grade UNISS Tournament Team. From 32 teams and more than 320 players, these girls were among the top 10 players selected. That is an incredible achievement and a testament to the hard work, determination, and commitment they have shown throughout their UNISS campaign.

Waihi Netball Centre could not be any prouder of you ladies. We are so excited to celebrate these achievements with you and to see what the future holds. Congratulations again Jaylah, Isabelle, Rylee, and Waira.

30/08/2026

27/08/2026

🎉 3 YEARS OF POSITIVE VIBES ONLY! 🎉

Positive Vibes Only is turning 3! 💗 And what better way to celebrate than by getting ready to bring the POSITIVE VIBES to UNISS 2026 next week! 🏐✨

Join us for a special Positive Vibes Only Webinar and learn how we can all play our part in creating a positive, respectful and enjoyable UNISS experience.

Whether you're a PLAYER, COACH, PARENT, MANAGER or UMPIRE — this one is for you! 🙌

💬 What does Positive Vibes Only look like at UNISS?
👏 How can we support our players and each other?
💗 How can we make sure the sidelines, courts and benches are full of positive energy?

Let's get on the same page and make UNISS 2026 the best one yet!

📅 Thursday 27 August
⏰ 6:30pm
💻 Join us online
Join:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/426360091314599?p=5ado3PF9NLw7NWDvd9

Meeting ID:
426 360 091 314 599

Passcode:
bg9GR3eG

Everyone involved in UNISS is encouraged to attend. Let's celebrate 3 years of Positive Vibes Only and get ready to make the positive vibes flow at UNISS! 💗🌊

See you there! 👋

19/08/2026

18/08/2026

Heading to UNISS? Don't miss this chance to learn from former professional players and a sports physio. Ask your questions and get practical tips on performance, recovery, injury prevention, and tournament preparation.

Join online, this Wednesday, 19th August, 6pm-7pm.

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/487786301934057?p=PULqSBcusoDatG8hI