PRESIDENT'S REPORT

PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2027

Before we dive into the fun and celebrations tonight, a couple of quick housekeeping points:

In case of an emergency, please stay calm, follow the directions, and make your way to the nearest exit where we’ll meet out in the car park. Let’s also look after each other tonight – be responsible with your drinks, and if you think someone’s had a bit too much, please step in, help out, and get the assistance they need.

Now, before we get started, I want to give a special shoutout to Hannah and Holly from our committee, who’s worked hard behind the scenes to bring tonight’s event together. 

It’s exciting to see all of you here tonight. We’re gathered to celebrate the incredible success and achievements of our teams throughout the 2026 season.

This year we had all of our teams in our new New Balance uniform, which we debuted for the first time in 2025. A goal that I had for the club was to have all of our teams in this uniform within two years, and without the work of Nat in the background, we wouldn’t have got there. Her continuous work in the background means that we have even more jackets and bags for the 2027 season that we will distribute to more teams. Rachel also makes sure that all of our teams are kitted out with all of the uniform and gear that we need to succeed.

This year, we’ve seen our teams playing across a variety of locations, from Nga Puna Wai on Monday’s and Wednesday’s to Hagley Park and Nga Puna Wai on Saturdays. We had 17 teams across both Closed and Open Grade competitions, 2 of which are self entered. We still remain the largest senior netball club in the entire CNC competition. As a result of our performances, and via a nomination, UC Netball was nominated for the Christchurch Netball awards for Club of the Year. This is a high recognition that we should all be proud of. 

Starting with our K Team in the Open Grade – they started the season with a few tough games but by the final round, they went through the round unbeaten, won their semi final, and played an outstanding final. Not quite coming away with the win, but they left everything on the court and played a game that they should be proud of, I know that their coaches, Mel and Hannah are. 

Our H, M, N and P teams showed consistent results throughout the season and truly came into their own as the weeks went by. For their last game the P team fought hard, only just missing out on a semi-final.

Our G Team, coached by Georgia and Jess, kicked off the season with a bang by retaining their place in the Challenge 3 grade. This is a big win for the club as it reduces the number of UC vs UC games, giving us more exciting games.

Our Closed Grade teams were consistent in their performances this year, continually developing their skills, learning, and growing. It’s great to see them building momentum for next season.

Our A Team had an incredible season, who faced off against St Nic’s in their semi-final, a game that came down to the wire. The team left everything on the court and made the club and coaching team proud. 

Our B and D teams both played for their places in their respective grades, and pulled out outstanding wins. I was on the sideline for both of these and it was definitely stressful. A big shoutout to our C, F and G teams, who all secured their spots for the 2027 season in their respective grades.

I know some teams might feel a little disappointed with the outcome, but let’s not forget about the countless memories made, the friendships formed, and the new skills we’ve all picked up along the way. The beauty of this sport is that there’s always room for improvement. So let’s keep pushing, keep growing, and next season, let’s see just how much better we can be.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the incredible work of our volunteers, particularly our coaches. Our club relies heavily on your passion and commitment. You give up your personal time to guide, teach, and mentor. And while coaching can be tough, it’s also incredibly rewarding to see players grow and develop. So, a massive thank you to the 31 coaches who continue to give UC Netball their time.

And of course, we can’t forget our umpires. Netball wouldn’t work without them! Led by our Umpire Coordinator, Julia, we have been fortunate to have a team of fantastic umpires who’ve kept the game fair and flowing. You all give your time, effort, and expertise to ensure our games run smoothly, and for that, we are so grateful.

Let’s not forget our committee, the unsung heroes who make everything possible. Our committee is made up of 13 phenomenal women who not only manage the club but also coach, umpire, and play Senior Netball themselves. Without them, UC Netball wouldn’t be the smooth-running, thriving community that it is. To name a few, Laura had her son Grayson in May, but still came down to the courts when she could to support teams. Lucy and Laura also organised and ran our raffle this year. Karen would pick up the whistle and fill in for umpires when we needed her too, and Elle played in our A team and could be called upon to help at anytime. The dedication, hard work, and love for this club shine through your committee in everything they do.

And finally, to each and every member – whether you’re a player, coach, umpire, or supporter – a massive thank you. Your commitment, passion, and sportsmanship have been nothing short of extraordinary. You’ve represented UC Netball with pride, and your efforts have not only strengthened our club but have also inspired those around you.

For those of you moving on – whether that’s to new clubs or new adventures, we wish you all the best in whatever comes next. And for those returning next season, we can’t wait to see you back on court, ready to take on 2027.

Enjoy the well-deserved summer break, stay safe, and we’ll see you all in March for another exciting season.

Hannah Williams
UC Netball Club President