The Just Kruizin’ Mātatahi team, representing the Just Kruizin’ Netball Club from West Auckland, is on track to retain the open ladies title at the Netball in Paradise Competition, currently underway at the National Sports Arena in Nikao.

Netball Cook Islands secretary Tekura Moekaa says the defending champions have emerged as the team to beat in the annual competition.

The Bank South Pacific’s (BSP) Netball in Paradise 2023 competition, which began on Saturday, continued yesterday with all participating teams demonstrating fierce intensity and energetic play.

Netball Cook Islands welcomed 23 teams from New Zealand and Australia, with some Cook Islands locals also being included in teams from both countries.

Competitions are being held in open ladies, open mixed division, the U17 and U15 divisions.

Moekaa said: “We had an entry for U15 from overseas, and with limited teams in this category Netball Cook Islands made the decision for them to join the U17 category.”

She said the Waka club entered teams in all categories and is dominating the Mixed Competition.

“Just Kruizin’ will look to have back-to-back NIP win, winning last year’s event post Covid. Raro Rebels, the only team from Rarotonga, in the U17 are doing well.”

Netball Cook Islands acknowledged Destination Management Cook Islands (DMCK) for their behind-the-scenes work in mobilising teams, coordinating travel logistics, and arranging activities for participants.

The association also thanked all volunteers, umpires, and bench officials officiating the games, as well as the sponsors who provided resources to ensure the tournament is delivered in true Cook Islands fashion.

“To our netball communities here, New Zealand and Australia, thank you for your support and for bringing over a team! Nothing like playing Netball in Paradise.”
Netball fans are encouraged to head over to the National Sports Arena for some sizzling matches today, the last day of the tournament. 

Results

Day 2 results: Mixed: Hina 18- 29 Blitz; Broconut 32- 21 Tuu-Slow; Waka 42- 8 #A23; Broconuts 24- 18 Hina; Waka 33-8 Tuu-Slow; #A23 13- 33 Waka; Tuu-Slow 21- 18 #A23; Open Ladies: Hawks47- 14 Utiku Old Girls; Eagles 31- 43 Phoenix; Titans 25- 24 Smash; Utiku 8- 64 Just Kruizin; Titans 35-30 Eagles Netball; Social ladies: Broconuts 21-26 Whangaruru; Taradale 27-38 Just Kruizin; Broconuts 19-18 Taradale; Te Kapa 29- 25 Whangaruru; Just Kruizin 26-18 Taradale; Whangaruru 26-20 Broconuts; Te Kapa 26 – 19 Taradale; Just Kruizin 25-24 Whangaruru; 17U: Blitz 21-18 Taradale; Waihi 23-26 AJKs; Waka 24- 24 Blitz; AJKs 17-24 Taradale; Raro Rebels 32-21 Taradale.

Day 3 results: Mixed- Tuu-slow19-22 Hina; Blitz 25-12 Broconuts, Waka 21-15 Blitz; #A23 14-26 Broconuts; Blitz 35-14 Hina; Tuu-Slow 9-24 Broconuts; #A23 20-38 Waka; Broconuts 20-30 Blitz; Open Ladies: Eagles 48-35 Smash; Hawks 33-38 Phoenix; Just Kruizin 59-17 Titans; Hawks 31-25 Smash; Phoenix 47-15 Utiku Old Gilrs; Hawks 33-43 Just Kruizin; Social ladies: Te kapa24-9 Broconuts; Whangaruru 35-14 Taradale; Just Kruizin 20- 19 Broconuts; Whangaruru 28-25 Te Kapa; Taradale 20-27 Broconuts; Te Kapa 25-25 Just Kruizin; 17U: Raro Rebels 28-29 Titans; Waka 27-27 Waihi; Blitz 32-41 Waihi; AJKs 15-33 Titans; Waihi 14-33 Titans; Taradale 20-28 Waka.