The heavens have opened up and blessed Rarotonga with much needed rain but the netball action in the BSP Netball in Paradise is only heating up!

The annual event started with the official opening ceremony and first round of matches on Saturday at the National Sports Arena.

Combining their love of netball with the perfect tropical holiday, 23 visiting teams are on the island to soak it all up on and off the courts!

All games are being played at the multi sports complex in Nikao starting at 9am and running all day to the last game at 5.30pm.

Admission is free and residents are urged to take their lunch break or catch a game after work as Netball in Paradise runs up to the finale on Thursday.

All games are being played at the multi sports complex in Nikao starting at 9am and running all day to the last game at 5.30pm. Picture: Nicholas Maui/23120425

On court in the open and social women's division classy and clever netball is on full display while the addition of male players in the mixed division sets the scene for dynamic talents to shine with plenty of flare and dash of drama to make for highly entertaining live sport!

Eager to impress junior netters in the combined 15/17 and under division are playing with plenty of pace and attitude highlighting the future of netball is a bright one.

On board to ensure Netball in Paradise is not only a successful major fundraiser for Netball Cook Islands but one that boosts our tourism industry and local economy as naming sponsor is Bank South Pacific – meitaki maata.

Meitaki also to Cook Islands Tourism for support and funding to help show the world what they would rather be doing in a little paradise!

• Netball in Paradise