On Saturday, in Invercargill, Western beat Bay of Plenty 58-42 to remain in the first division of the Perry Foundation National Championships.

It was a great end to what has been a challenging championship. After struggling to achieve a win in the first four rounds the Western team peaked at the right time woth some great games of Netball being played in Invercargill.

Furthermore shooter Chantelle Ngaia was selected in the tournament team after consistently shooting well throughout the duration of the competition. In 2008 Chantelle was selected as the Player of the 2nd Grade Tournament so this is another step up for her.

The 2009-10 New Zealand U21 Squad was also announced at the completion of the tournament with two Western players featuring. Jodi Beaumont, who has had a strong tournament in the Goal Keep position has made her way into the squad. Also shooter Alanah Cassidy, who was a key figure in the Western U21 and New Zealand U21 teams this year, will again be a member of the squad.

An Emerging Talent Accelerant Group which is a new Netball New Zealand High Perofrmance initiative will also be introduced for the first time this year. Mid courter Sheridan Bignall (Manawatu) and defender Greer Patterson (Taranaki) were named in this group. Bignall has competed in the Western Lois Muir Challenge Team, the Manawatu U19 and New Zealand Secondary Schools team, Patterson has played for Taranaki U19 and the New Zealand Secondary Schools Team. Players in this group have been selected due to their potential to make it into the New Zealand U21 team in the future.