Te Papapa netball scouts out and about

BY CARLY TAWHIAO

The Te Papapa Netball Club is recruiting team players and will be scouting for talent at this weekend’s Oranga Festival.

The club, which started in March, was the brainchild of mums Te Awhi Cooper, Joanne Minhinnick and Joan Matutu, after they watched their local primary schools struggle to provide the sport.

"We could see that we needed to capture these kids before they fell into a black hole," Miss Cooper says.

Through word-of-mouth they assessed their community and found there was a high demand for adult netball as well.

They will be hosting a have a go session at the festival at Fergusson Park tomorrow from 5pm, to attract members as well as potential sponsors.

"It’s available for whoever wants to play. We want to get the community involved and promote ourselves," Mrs Minhinnick says.

"We are whanau-orientated and use all our resources within the club, but any financial support to purchase uniforms would be greatly appreciated."

The women originally received funding through the Health Ministry to pay registration fees, which makes the sport affordable and accessible.

Initially they registered two teams of 10 to compete in the Auckland Netball competition, but by the season’s end there were eight teams with players ranging in age from nine to 45.

"It can only go from strength to strength and hopefully our community will be looking a
lot slimmer," Miss Cooper says.

The Royal Oak resident and mother of five says as well as making life-long friendships, the club not only develops netball teams, coaches and umpires but runs compulsory nutrition sessions too.

The monthly classes are held at the Oranga Community Centre, and give club members the opportunity to learn how to budget a meal for a family of eight to 10.

"It’s nice to try something new and know that you can provide a good healthy meal for $25," Miss Cooper says.

As well as netball demonstrations and games during the Oranga Festival, there will also be plenty of activities for children until 6pm.

From 6pm until 8pm there will be performances from
local youth and church
groups.

Festival organiser Jacki van der Burg says the free event is for local families to come together at the Oranga Community Centre on Waitangi Rd and celebrate the festive season.

"It’s a chance to bring the picnic rug and enjoy a family-friendly event that showcases local talent from the schools and churches."

For more information email tepapapanetball@gmail.com or contact Te Awhi Cooper 027-404-5674.

- © Fairfax NZ News