Dunedin have teamed up with some friendly foes this week.
Dunedin United will represent the centre at the national open championships, the team comprising players from Dunedin, Central Otago and a couple of additions from Christchurch.
Mickey Jones, Millie Hassall and Ella McKenzie have experience as part of the Southern Blast side this season.
Olivia Mavor and Neve Graamans already have a proven connection as part of an impressive University-Albion side that won a third consecutive Dunedin premier title last month.
Former Blast and University-Albion player Isabella Galvan will add punch to the midcourt.
Talented former St Margaret’s College shooter Charlotte Coughlan — who was part of the Mainland side that won the NNL title this year — adds plenty of height in the circle, and Holly Munro, a former Mainland Tactix apprentice player and South Canterbury representative, will hunt for ball in the defensive end.
The open championships, aimed to provide an opportunity for netballers outside the professional leagues, get under way tomorrow in Christchurch and will be played across four days.
Invercargill, coached by Lee Greig, have a solid team with former Southern Blast player Sophie Erwood providing stability in the midcourt.
Marina Ferguson, who has previously played for Dunedin, returns to Invercargill this season.
Invercargill have been drawn in Pool A alongside Christchurch Pango, Manawatu Green, Waitakere and defending champions Hamilton City.
Hamilton City won the New Zealand Cup for the first time in 2025 when they dispatched Counties-Manukau 48-38 in the final.
Dunedin United have been drawn in Pool B alongside Counties, Kerikeri, Rotorua and South Canterbury.
They open their tournament against South Canterbury tomorrow morning, followed by Rotorua in the afternoon.
Invercargill have a big test first up against Waitakere and round out the opening day against Manawatu Green.
