A new grassroots netball initiative aimed at creating more opportunities for young Ōpōtiki players has enjoyed a remarkable first season, with Ōpōtiki Kōtahi Netball claiming the Whakatāne Saturday Netball A-grade title after beginning the competition in C grade just a few months earlier.

Founded in March by netball enthusiast Pauline Delamere and her daughter, Isobel Beale, Ōpōtiki Kōtahi Netball brought together year 7 and 8 players from several schools who were eager to challenge themselves beyond the Wednesday competition available in Ōpōtiki.

Delamere said the idea was to give players greater opportunities to develop their skills by competing against stronger opposition.

“We wanted to give the girls an opportunity to branch further than Ōpōtiki and increase their exposure to the game, allow them to develop their skills and prepare for the AIMS competition.”

She said establishing the additional team also created opportunities for players who may have otherwise missed out.

“The additional team allowed kids that didn’t make the first team to still compete and develop a better understanding of the game.”

While the players were learning, Delamere admitted she was also on her own coaching journey.

“I also had some learning to do, as a lot has changed in the game since my day.”

The team’s rapid rise through the grades came as a surprise.

“We initially started in C grade, but after our first game some of the competition organisers suggested we were in the wrong grade, so we moved up to B grade and then to A grade.”

The decision proved to be the right one, with the young side continuing its winning form before securing the A-grade championship with victory in the final on June 27.

“Winning the A-grade competition in our very first season is a great achievement for the girls and a real boost for their confidence on the court.”

Although the title was a memorable milestone, Delamere believes the programme’s greatest success has been the opportunities it has created for its players.

The team has helped build confidence, develop skills and foster friendships while giving local rangatahi the chance to compete at a higher level and represent their community with pride.

With one successful season now behind them, Ōpōtiki Kōtahi Netball has already turned its attention to its next challenge, with preparations under way for the Kuru Ngāi Tuku Tournament in September.

For Delamere, the season has shown what can be achieved when a community comes together to support its young people.

What began as one mother’s vision to create more opportunities for local rangatahi through sport has quickly grown into a programme that is building not only capable netballers, but confident young people with a strong sense of belonging – something she hopes will continue to inspire future generations of Ōpōtiki players.