A renewed focus on athlete identification is underway across the Netball Northern zone for the 2026 season, and it's built on a simple idea: the more eyes we have on athletes, the better we can support them.
Over recent weeks, Netball Northern has been connecting with all centres across the zone as part of a coordinated approach to identifying and supporting athletes in the U16 and U18 representative grades. Rather than relying on a single selector or a single moment, the aim is to build a consistent, season-long picture of athletes from multiple perspectives.
No single snapshot
One of the guiding principles behind this approach is that athletes deserve to be seen over time, not judged on one performance or one tournament. Both A and B teams in each age group are part of this picture, recognising that players develop at different rates and that early potential doesn't always look the same.
This is especially important for athletes who are still growing into their game. The focus is on future potential alongside current performance, so that no one is overlooked simply because their best netball is still ahead of them.
Getting to tournaments near you
As part of staying connected during the season, Pete will be attending representative tournaments in Whangārei, North Harbour, Papakura, and Howick Pakuranga in the coming weeks. Coaches, staff, and volunteers are encouraged to make the most of these visits, come and have a conversation about athletes, your team, and what you're seeing within your centre.
Following the representative season, school competitions at Auckland, North Harbour, and Waitākere will also be covered, either in person or through online viewing where available.
Your input matters
This work depends on the knowledge of people across our centres. Coaches, selectors, staff, and volunteers all see different parts of an athlete's journey. Sharing what you're seeing, whether it's a player showing real improvement, or someone who might be ready to take the next step helps build a fuller picture and reduces the chance of talented athletes being missed.
The more connected we are, the better we can support every athlete across all levels of the game.
To connect with Pete at an upcoming tournament, or to share information about athletes in your centre, contact him by email at
