Meeting the ANZ Premiership netball captains

High tens for Dunedin sisters at ANZ Premiership.

 Dunedin sisters 12-year-old Mia and 10-year-old Leila Wall got a taste of the action when they met the superstars of netball on centre court at the Edgar Centre before the Steel vs Stars ANZ Premiership game on Saturday. Mia, a Tahuna Normal Intermediate student, won the chance to meet captains Shannon Saunders (Steel) and Maia Wilson (Stars) and lead the teams onto the court as a part of the ANZ Future Captains programme. Mia and Leila were excited and nervous to be joining the captains centre court, but soon found themselves comfortable in the spotlight. A highlight for Mia was high fiving the players and wishing them good luck. She said, “I put one of my hands up, ready, but then George Fisher came by with both hands up for high tens! And the other players followed suit. I had to stand my ground for Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit’s high ten, she’s very strong.” Grant’s Braes School student, Leila’s favourite part was sitting courtside next to the Steel coaches and listening in to the game plan for each quarter saying, “we had front row seats.” Mia and Leila have a family connection to the game, with their cousin Kiana Pelasio playing for the Steel. “Netball runs in the family,” said Mia. “We cheer extra loud whenever she’s on the court. When I first started playing netball, she taught me how to shoot a goal,” said Leila. After cousin Kiana, who takes top spot in Mia and Leila’s eyes, they share a love for George Fisher. Mia says, “I love George and Tiana Metuarau because I play their positions too. They’re good at slowing down and knowing where they are going to pass. Despite the Steel not getting the win they were hoping for, these sisters are still their biggest fans. Mia says, “I’m still cheering them on no matter what. Don’t give up!” ANZ Head of Sponsorship Sue McGregor says ANZ is committed to its support of netballers in Aotearoa from local Dunedin players right up to the elite athletes in the ANZ Premiership and the Silver Ferns. “That’s why we’re giving 94 young people from all over Aotearoa the chance to be part of the ANZ Premiership and to meet their netball heroes as an ANZ Future Captain. After such a tough year for the netball community in 2020, it’s great we can offer this once in a lifetime opportunity to our country's youngest netball fans and players. We hope this experience inspires them to remain passionate about their training and to try their very best on the court.” Applications for the ANZ Future Captains programme are now open at https://www.anzcourtside.co.nz/home/index.html

Photo credit: Michael Bradley