Netball at OAS has held a very strong tradition within the school over many years, however, like many things, times have changed and students/parents leisure time is becoming more precious. Due to the increased pressures of finding coaches, managers and referees, it has been decided that OAS Netball will undergo changes for 2024.

We have considered several different options for offering Netball within the school and have held discussions with our coaches and managers. It has been decided that the format for next year will be as follows:

Format for 2024:

• OAS will continue to offer Future Fern Netball for Years 3 & 4

• OAS will continue to offer Saturday netball for Year 5 & 6 at Pukekohe

• OAS Year 5 & 6 teams will be responsible for finding their own coach/manager & umpire each week & pay umpire direct weekly. (OAS will assist in finding coaches & managers)

• OAS will not be offering any Saturday Netball for players from 

Year 7 - 13

• OAS will hold trials for the Year 7 & 8 AIMS Team. Trials will be held very early in Term 1.

• AIMS team will play in the Papakura Netball competition specifically for AIMS teams on Wednesday evenings & players must attend training at OAS one afternoon a week.

• Players selected for the AIMS team don’t have to play club netball on a Saturday, they can choose just to play in the AIMS team

• Players selected in the AIMS team may also play for a club on Saturdays, but training days can’t be same as OAS

• OAS will offer netball for Year 9 & 10, but this will be at Papakura Netball on a Wednesday afternoon/evening, in a competition specifically for school teams.

•  OAS will not be offering teams to play at Pukekohe on a Saturday

• We will hold early trials for Year 9 & 10 teams (depending on numbers these may be joint 9/10) to play at Papakura. If students wish they may also play club netball on a Saturday

• OAS Year 9 & 10 teams will train one afternoon after school

• With the assistance of OAS Year 9 & 10 teams will need to find their own coach and manager

• Umpires for year 9 & 10 will be included in fees and provided by Papakura Netball

• We will hold trials for our UNISS Team later in Term 1

• The UNISS team will play at Papakura on Wednesday evening & train at OAS one afternoon a week

• UNISS players may also play for a club on Saturday, but all selected players must attend training, which will be one afternoon a week. 

• Each team playing at Papakura Netball will need to provide a coach/manager or parent (police vetted) to drive the school van to/from Papakura.

• The Papakura Netball season is approximately 11 - 12 weeks from May to August and fees will be approximately $160.00 which includes; Papakura Netball fees, transport to/from Papakura in school minivan or similar, weekly umpire and uniform bond. (These costs are an estimate as Papakura Netball have not yet set their 2024 fees)

We appreciate that Netball will not be a priority for you at this time of the year, but we are advising you of these changes early as we realise some people will want to attend club trials which normally happen in February.

We see the benefits of playing in the Papakura Netball Competition, as allowing the players to compete against teams of their own age group and we envisage that this will strengthen our participation for future AIMS and UNISS tournaments.

We realise this will be a significant change for some of you, as it will be for us and we hope that you will continue to support OAS Netball moving forward.

Please do not hesitate to email s.guard@onewhero.school.nz if you have any questions or suggestions.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Nga Mihi

Sharon Guard, Anke van Dijk, Keryn Walker

Sports Department - Onewhero Area School