The Netball Cook Islands domestic season is off to an electrifying start with the annual Rarotonga club competition commencing on Saturday.

Across three districts, fans witnessed a flurry of gripping matches, showcasing the talent and determination of local netball clubs. From junior grades to open divisions, the competition was intense, with six clubs eagerly vying for victory.

In Arorangi, Avatiu displayed dominance in the premier grade, overpowering the home team with a commanding performance.

Singapore-bound Nicol Tiaore, Avatiu’s goal defence, was a thorn to the Arorangi shooters who capitalised on turnovers, securing a decisive victory over Arorangi with a final score of 55-27. The display reflected Avatiu’s clinical gameplay and solid teamwork.

In Ngatangiia, in another premier grade clash, Titikaveka’s ladies in blue delivered an overwhelming performance against the home side, sealing the match with a resounding score of 71-27. Their strength and skill on the court left no doubt about their superiority.

In Tupapa, the local netballers hosted Takuvaine in a thrilling encounter. Though the neighbouring districts battled fiercely in the early stages, Tupapa gradually gained momentum, securing a convincing victory with a score of 43-26.

These matches underscore the escalating intensity and competitiveness of netball in the Cook Islands, promising an exhilarating season ahead.

“This is a good build-up for our under 21 girls as we will be looking forward to carrying out netball trials soon,” expressed Netball Cook Islands’ Jason Lindsay, recently appointed to the World Netball Finance Panel.

As the highly anticipated opening of the netball season unfolded, Wednesday’s matches saw the open ladies’ teams engaging in friendly yet intense competition. Saturday brought even more excitement as children of all ages eagerly returned to the courts. With the weather finally relenting, players and supporters alike were treated to uninterrupted netball action, marking a promising start to the season.

Following the junior matches, the reserve and premier grades showcased the clubs’ up-and-coming young players, hinting at a bright future for Cook Islands netball.

“The competition in the premier grade was fierce, with every team giving their all,” remarked Ngere Puia, president of Netball Cook Islands.

Puia highlighted the emergence of young players, who demonstrated immense potential and a hunger to succeed. Their impressive performances signal a promising outlook for the sport.