Netball: Stratford-Eltham netballers inspired by rugby win

Will Johnston 

Photo by: PIXL

Stratford-Eltham’s premier one netball team is drawing on inspiration from the club’s rugby side ahead of the grand final at the TSB Stadium on Saturday.  

The central Taranaki side made it through to the final for the first time against Tysons after beating defending champions New Plymouth Old Boys 52-47 in the semi-final two weeks ago.  

Captain Courtney Roberts said she’s excited and proud to make history and winning would be huge after the premier rugby team took out the championship earlier this month against Southern.   

“To have the boys win the rugby and our premier three team also make their final, it would certainly be a special year for the club,” she said.  

“We knew we could get the win against Old Boys after beating them in the last round of competition, there was definitely belief in the team.”  

Stratford-Eltham played with more consistency and stayed in the match for the full 60 minutes. That improvement was what aided the win in the play-off match, she said.  

But Roberts knows the challenge ahead of Saturday afternoon’s match. The Tysons are unbeaten this season from 11 games, including beating Inglewood Summit 72-46 in the semi-final. They also had an eight-title winning streak until last year when they were upset by Old Boys.   

She said Stratford-Eltham will need to do the basics well and take each quarter as it comes. 

Tysons captain Amber Ormond said there is a lot to play for, especially when one of their stalwarts will be missing from the sideline. 

Ivy Topping, who formed the club in 1989, died in June after a battle with cancer. Ormond hoped Topping would be there as she attended matches during the season despite being unwell.   

“It’ll be really hard to do it now knowing she won’t be there, but we will make sure we will do everything we possibly can to finish it off for her,” she said.   

Saturday will also spell the end of male player Dominic Williams-Riding's career with Tysons as rules stipulate males over 18 cannot play premier netball.  

“He’s an incredible athlete and his contribution to the team has made us all better players, so we’re sad that this will be his final game.”  

Ormond said following the final, the club might see some of their “incredible, long-standing” players retire. 

“So, there’s lots to play for.”  

Leading into the match, Penny Johnson and Elizabeth Tuki have been ruled out with injuries.  

Centre pass is at 4:45pm. 

The premier one final is one of three matches being played at the stadium which will bring the curtain down on the senior grade. Premier three sees Naumai and Stratford-Eltham play at 12:30pm and New Plymouth Girls’ High School and Tysons will contest for the premier two title at 2:30pm. Doors open at 11:30am.