Grading process decided

Netball Manawatu has taken positive steps to clear up its premier-one grading format following last year's debacle.

Last year, teams weren't given a draw or told who they would be playing until the day, nor what a win meant or how teams were picked for premier one.

The fallout was widespread. A College Old Girls team pulled out of premier two in protest and Massey A2 were easy-beats in premier one when they probably should never have qualified.

Last night's meeting of clubs at Sport Manawatu confirmed that eight teams would play for the five remaining spots in premier one on Saturday, March 27.

They are grouped in two pools of four and will play in a round-robin format.

Qualifying will continue on Tuesday, March 30, with a crossover, then final games to decide seedings for this year's competition.

Red-Sox-Olympic, Tu Toa and and Feilding A1 were given automatic qualification to premier one this year because they finished in the top three last season.

Five teams from last year's premier competition will be joined by the top three finishers from premier two (Marist A1, Red Sox-Olympic and Kia Toa A1) for the grading tournament.

New Netball Manawatu general manager Louise Clarke said the improved system made it clear what was required to qualify.

"I think it's just a matter of everybody knowing what it is," she said of the grading process. "No-one's going to get any surprises and I think that's what happened last year. It's meant to be fairer and more transparent."

Clarke said having meetings where everyone could voice concerns and opinions was helpful to dispel rumours that one or two clubs had pulling power with Netball Manawatu.

"That's what I'm trying to do. Just having meetings and open forums so they can understand."

Clubs were given two options on the structure of the qualifying tournament but they voted for the format that effectively gives teams a second chance on the Tuesday night.

The draw for March 27 will be released in the next two weeks and premier netball will start on April 6.

Red Sox and Olympic have joined forces this season in a bid to bolster their clubs and might have two teams in premier one this year.

- © Fairfax NZ News