In 1923, on pine needle covered courts in the Ashburton Domain, the sport that would eventually become known as netball made its Mid Canterbury debut.

This year, 100 years on from that day, Mid Canterbury Netball is preparing to welcome members, past and present, to celebrate a century of netball in the district.

Mid Canterbury Netball’s centenary celebrations are being held on Saturday October 14, at the end of what is sure to be another bumper season of netball, Mid Canterbury Netball president Ange Mitchell said.

While the first Ashburton netball team – an Ashburton Borough School team – played a game in Christchurch in 1922, the Ashburton Basketball Association was officially formed in 1923, with the first annual general meeting being held the following year. But netball today is far different from what netball was back in those days – not least because it was in those days called basketball.

Back in those early days it was a nine aside game, on a bigger court, and pine needles had to be laid on the often muddy courts so that players didn’t slip – a surface that often needed running repairs at half time.

It’s a far cry from the conditions players enjoy today, with netball played indoors at the Ashburton District Council run EA Networks Centre on a surface which is much nicer to play on and spectate in, and much kinder on the knees, allowing many people to play for much longer than they would’ve was netball still played outdoors.

Changes like that don’t happen overnight, though. Over the years Mid Canterbury Netball has been served by countless people, mainly volunteers, who have given their time to the sport they love to ensure it continues to thrive.

From the early days of those muddy courts at the Ashburton Domain, before those were replaced by asphalt, to the move to the College courts, and eventually the move indoors, it’s taken a lot of work to get to that point, and Mitchell said none of it would have been possible without the wider Mid Canterbury Netball family.

“Whether it’s the umpires or bench officials, coaches or managers, or those who have served on the board or one of many committees through the years, so many people have played a role in getting Mid Canterbury Netball to where it is today,” Mitchell said.

By the early 1970s, Mid Canterbury Netball had outgrown the domain site but the Domain Board said no to 100 year old trees being removed to make way for a bigger pavilion and extension to the courts. So, the decision was made to build at Ashburton College, becoming, nationally, the first organisation to build on Education Board (as it was then) land under the joint community use of education facilities process with a Licence to Occupy established and agreed to between the Education Board, Ashburton College and the Ashburton Netball Association. 

It wasn’t all plain sailing through. When a loan was sought to assist with the building of the new pavilion at the College courts, the request was denied because those seeking it were women. Fortunately, the wife of a bank manager was on the committee and that, along with the support of a small group of trustees, helped get them over the line. That group of women oversaw the building of the two-storey pavilion, which cost $65,000 and it was completely paid off in five years.

Over the years there’s been fundraisers aplenty – a Buy a Block for the new pavilion, sponsored goal days, craft days, second-hand clothing sales, cake stalls and a recipe book to name a few. Mitchell said people have always been willing to put up their hand to support, or give up their time to assist, and Mid Canterbury Netball was grateful for all of the support it had received over the years.

“Mid Canterbury Netball has always had a real family feel to it, and it’s an absolute pleasure and honour to be in this role now, giving back to the sport that has given me so much over the years,” Mitchell said.

"It (the centenary) will be an excellent opportunity for our Mid Canterbury Netball family, past and present, to come together. Netball in our district has been an important part of many people's lives, and we look forward to celebrating the special part it has played in our community."

Mid Canterbury Netball’s centenary celebrations will be held on Saturday October 14, 2023, and will include an evening function with special guest speaker, former Silver Fern Anna Harrison. Registrations will open around June, and those interested in attending are urged to keep an eye on the Mid Canterbury Netball website, Facebook page, or newsletters for more information during the year.

An expressions of interest form can be found here for people to fill in to signal their interest in attending, and to receive updates.

Article added: Tuesday 21 February 2023