Netball associations set for c’ships

FIFTEEN associations are confirmed to compete at the National Netball Championships from Sept 18-22 in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.
Making a comeback to the national scene are East New Britain and West New Britain after being absent from the championships for several years.
The matches for the junior divisions — Under-13, U15, U17 and U21 — will be played from Sept 18-22.
The fixtures for the senior divisions — A-grade, B-grade and masters — will take place from Sept 21-22. It is anticipated that the championships will attract supporters from the Highlands and Mamose region. President Julienne Leka-Maliaki confirmed that the Papua New Guinea Netball Federation annual general meeting would be held on Sept 21.
She said the 15 associations were Port Moresby, Rigo, Kairuku-Hiri, Abau, Motu-Koita West, Motu-Koita South, Kerema, Alotau, Abau, Goroka, Jiwaka, Lae, Madang, East New Britain, West New Britain. Leka-Maliaki said the affiliation fee was K1,000 per association.
THE Port Moresby Netball Association (POMNA) have always dominated the championships with Alotau Kairuku-Hiri, Motu-Koita and Lae providing strong opposition.
With arguably the best pool of players in the junior and senior division, POMNA are expected to once again feature prominently at the championships.
The other associations will need to be on their game if they are to break POMNA dominance.
The championships are backed by Newcrest Mining as the naming-rights sponsor.