A crowd of about 2200 dusted off their Sting gear to celebrate what remains an unrivalled era of sporting prowess in New Zealand. In just one decade, seven national titles were claimed by the Sting, which also featured in every grand final.
Organised by former Sting shooter Donna Wilkins, the game celebrated the Sting’s 20-year reunion and raised money for the Tania Dalton Foundation. Dalton, who was a key player for the Sting, died last year of a brain aneurysm, aged 45.
Taking on the next generation of southern netballers, the Sting clinched a 51-50 victory over the South team which competes in the Beko Netball League. Featuring top netballers such as former Silver Ferns Wilkins, Bernice Mene, Belinda Colling and former Australian international Natalie Avellino, they proved the old adage "form is temporary, class is permanent". The team was coached by Robyn Broughton.
How much was raised has yet to be tallied but it was believed to be about $30,000.
