Cheeky netball name rejected

A West Coast netball team's cheeky name has been deemed too blue by the organisers of an international sporting event in Australia.

The Greymouth team, formerly known as the Master Baiters, will take part in the Sydney World Masters Games, which start on Saturday.

The team was asked to change its name after organisers thought the risque reference to whitebaiting was too much.

The 10 players in the New World Master Netters, as they are now called, will be among more than 1400 Kiwis taking part in 28 sports at the event.

Umpire Jocelyn Crestani, who will travel with the team, said the organisers feared the name "might have a bit of a double meaning if it was pronounced wrong".

The team had no problem changing the name, which had been intended as a joke, and could understand the organisers' concerns.

"If you say it right it sounds OK, but if you read it too quickly it could be misinterpreted. It's fine for the locals, but maybe not there," Crestani said.

The team has entered the over-40 competition.

The games run to October 18.

- © Fairfax NZ News