There were two very special guests present for the final round of junior play at Netball Centre Whakatāne this week.

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic shooters Ameliaranne Ekenasio (also the current Silver Ferns captain) and Saviour Tui were at the courts on Tuesday afternoon, helping the futureFERNS teams warm up for their final games, and running drills with older athletes.

Centre president Al Fenwick said it was amazing for the players to meet their netball idols.

“We just want to let everyone know there is a pathway; it doesn’t matter where you have come from in New Zealand or how small the centre is, you can become a Magic player or a Silver Fern.

“We just want to help kids get to the level they aspire to be. Whether they just want to play netball for fun or whether they want to play for New Zealand, we want to cater for everyone here at Whakatāne.”

He said the focus for their futureFERNS programme was to get their youngest players – ages 5 to 8 – engaged in and enjoying the sport.

FutureFERNS is an adapted game for younger netballers with fewer players on the court at a time and adapted equipment meaning they each get to enjoy more fun, passes, play, and shots, with a strong focus on skill development.

“At this age basically what we are concentrating on is making netball fun, making them want to play again, making it a fun experience every Tuesday afternoon,” Fenwick said.

“Everything at this level is geared at getting them engaged in netball and making it a fun experience when they’re down here. If they want to come, it’s half the battle won.”

Ekenasio said she enjoyed the opportunity to get to a netball centre outside of the Magic’s primary base in Tauranga.

“The kids love having us here, so we always get such an awesome welcome. They are eager to ask us questions and soak up every single thing that we say.

“It's not just the kids; netball relies so heavily on volunteers and people who love the game, so we get to meet those people too.”

She said every player started at the grassroots level and she liked having the opportunity to give back.

“We all started here, so it’s like stepping back in time a bit and remembering when you were one of these kids running around on the court.

“I think it’s always a really nice reminder of where the work is done.”

Tui said it made her happy to see the kids happy.

She grew up in Wainuiomata near Wellington and did not remember having any of her idols visit the way she now gets to do.

But she still remembers the time a mum at her school won a competition to have Silver Fern Temepara Bailey visit.

“To have her come in was amazing for us.”

Magic are playing the Northern Stars tonight in a pre-season clash at Rotorua Energy Events Centre ahead of the 2025 ANZ Premiership season which starts next month.

The excitement continues tomorrow, when invited young netballers aged 7-16 will get the chance to join a skills session, Q&A, and signing opportunity with the players from both teams.

Magic is making the special trip to Rotorua to ensure the team stays connected with the region despite not having an in-season game there this year.

Head coach Mary-Jane Araroa emphasised the importance of engaging with the community and giving local fans the chance to see their team in action.

“We know how passionate Rotorua is about netball and about Magic, and we wanted to create this opportunity to engage with our supporters here,” she said.

“This game, and the community event that follows, are about celebrating netball and bringing our fans closer to the team.”