Christchurch representative teams are in the final phases of preparation before heading to their respective National Championships this July.

The Under 17 representative team won the National Championships in 2013, but were disappointed not to be able to back it up in 2014, finishing fifth and then finishing 8^th last year.

This year’s Nationals will feel like they are at home. With the venue at the North Canterbury Netball Centre in Rangiora from 18 to 21 July, Christchurch is able to field two teams. The A side will meet North Harbour 2, Nelson, Horowhenua and Eastern Waikato in the pool round, while the B side will meet Dunedin, Auckland 2, Waitakere 2 and Kapiti.

Coach of the Under 17A side Shelley Norris said ‘The Nationals in Rangiora present a great opportunity for our team to play in front of friends and family. While we will face a number of challenges during our campaign, we have come a long way in a short time and find ourselves in a nice rhythym at the moment. The passion to wear the red and black is alive and well, so we’re ready for the challenge’.

The Under 19 representative team will no doubt be looking to improve on its 7th placing at last year’s National Tournament. Competition will be contested at Saxton Stadium Nelson from 11-14 July. The team meets Dunedin, Taranaki and Northern Wairoa in the pool round.

The Under 19s have had a solid lead up to the Nationals which will put them in good stead for the depth of competition they will face. The team includes plenty of experience with a number having played for the new Mainland Beko National League team and also includes Fijian International, Kelera Nawai.

Coach Lee McKenzie said, ‘This is an exciting group for us to take away. Both Rachel (Stead) and I have been impressed with the player’s resilience in handling so much change over the last 6 weeks and how tight knit they have become as a group. They have adjusted well to a number of changes within the team due to injury and the National League and all have a great work ethic. While we produced a confidence-boosting outcome against Dunedin last weekend, there are still combinations to work on and court play to be improved, so we’re looking forward to achieving that.’

This year’s Beko National League competition means there is no longer an Under 23 National Championship or a National Provincial Championship.

Under 19 representative team: Bella James, Caitlin Dowden, Sarah Boomer, Jessica Shaw, Lucy Thomson, Emma Mabin, Kate Lloyd, Rebekah Johnston, Lily Marshall, Georgia White, Makaila Powick, Kelera Nawai. Coaches: Lee McKenzie and Rachel Stead, Manager: Toni Torepe.

Under 17A representative team:  Ella Wells, Sam Adams, Jess Allan, Grace O’Loughlin, Lilly Savea, Sam Malloy, Hannah Doocey, Jem Vaughan, Hannah Glassey, Olivia Clark, Martha Lolohea, Izzie Evans. Coaches: Shelley Norris and Nicole Lloyd, Manager: Margaret Western

Under 17B representative team: Kiah Ralph, Brooke Pope McCaw, Courtney Stothers, Courtney Quinn, Abbey Stokes, Ella Bachop, Maggie McInnes, Genna Klaver, Greer Williams, Ruby Mountford-McAuley, Grace Fai Kong, Cassidy Van Vuuren. Coaches: Katrina Williams and Chris O’Connor, Manager: Jan Hansen