The 2023 Beach Games got off to a superb start with the inaugural beach netball competition over the weekend.

Black Rock won the first ever beach netball competition held on Saturday at the National Beach Courts in Nikao.

Ten teams registered for the competition and were split into two pools. Pool A had Pineaparas, Give us a Bark, The Shady Bunch, Shine on Fiji Netters and Crax. Pool B comprised Black Rock, Lipstick Squad, 4 the LOL, Brew Crew and Just on Time. 

Each team played four games, and the top two from both pools progressed to the semi-finals. 

From Pool A, team Shine on Fiji Netters remained unbeaten with three wins and a draw to set them up for the semi-final. The team brought the Fiji tenacity and flair. The Shady Bunch also progressed to the semis.

From Pool B, team Black Rock with their sharp three-point shooter Tupa Tupa helped their team to four straight wins.

The fun and rowdy team Lipstick Squad – a team filled with Cook Islands netball national representatives – managed a close second finish, progressing into the semi-finals after pipping ahead of team Just on Time. 

In the closely contested semis, Shine on Fiji Netters pipped Lipstick Squad 6-5 and Black Rock overcame The Shady Bunch 8-7. 

In the bronze medal playoff, The Shady Bunch defeated Lipstick Squad.

Black Rock’s shooting combinations proved too good in the final against Shine on Fiji Netters. The side won gold beating Shine on Fiji Netters 10-4.

Netball Cook Islands’ Tekura Moeka’a said: “It was a great day, overcast with blue skies peeping through made for the best weather to play some netball.”

“Netball Cook Islands is pleased to work in partnership with CISNOC who organised the event from registration, set up and pack down. Netball Cook Islands then took care of officiating the event. It’s a great model as it allows for collaboration and management of resources.

“Many thanks to emcee Teherenui Koteka who kept the programme of day flowing, DJ for the best tunes, our vendors that sold food during the day, umpires, bench official for your continued support and those who came down to watch. 

“Beach Netball over and out for now, we hope that we can hold a few more over the course of the year. We will see.”

Air badminton competition will be held on Monday followed by beach touch on Tuesday and Wednesday. Beach volleyball will be held from Thursday to Saturday.

On Monday and Tuesday, January 16 and 17, the beach handball competition will be held followed by 3x3 basketball from January 17 to 19. Beach football will kick start on January 19 and run until January 21.

Registrations are still open for volleyball, beach football and 3x3 basketball and will close on Monday, January 9. Contact CISNOC at 24095 for more information.