Just an update on grading & the season with it only a week away.  We are busy working on the draw which we will try and get out as soon as possible unfortunately Rebecca and her household have been hit by COVID so doing as best we can.  The Draw should be out no later than Wednesday 4th May, 3pm.

A couple of questions have been asked about grading and the season which in most cases can be found in our PreSeason Information on our website  (http://www.whangareinetball.co.nz/winter-competition/Registration-Information) so please make sure (if you haven't) you have read it through and shared with your Coaches/Managers. 

In the meantime here is some important information for grading;

• There has been significant team movement, in particular in Premier, Premier Reserve and the lower grades of Intermediate and Collegiate this year, therefore some teams have been re-graded to fit in to the grades determined.
• Premier will not be grading with only 4 of the 6 teams re-entering the competition, those being the top 4 teams so they hold their position for 2022 Preliminary Round.
  Premier Reserve teams positioned 1 & 2 on the completion of grading will automatically be promoted to Premier.
• Premier Reserve will grade the evening of Friday 6 & 13 May as well as College A1 to best utilise our space.  Collegiate games will start as early as 5.30pm both nights.
• Grading will run as a round robin with 8 teams per grade and grades/rankings for the Preliminary Round will be based on results of grading – this should eliminate the need for Promotion Relegation games.  Grades for Preliminary Round may end up as 6 or 8 team grades based on results.
• In some instances the top 2 teams from the grade below will move up for grading and based on results will either stay up or move back down.
• During grading all teams except those grading in Premier Reserve are to provide their own Umpire.  If you are unable to source an umpire contact WNC for assistance and we will do our best to help.  Every effort will be made to ensure that where possible club / school teams are not all playing at the same time.
• All intermediate teams will be grading Saturday 7 May starting at the earliest 8.30am and last round finishing no later than 12.30pm
• Intermediate Section 4 & below's second day of grading will be Thursday 12 May starting at the earliest 5.30pm and finishing no later than 9pm.
• Intermediate Sect 1-3's second day of grading will be on Saturday 14 May, starting at the earliest 11.30am and finishing no later than 3pm.
• Collegiate & Senior grading games on both Saturday 7 & 14 May will start at the earliest 11.30am and last round finishing no later than 5pm.
• Teams could have up to 4 games per weekend.
• Preliminary Round starts the week of 16 May.
• It is the intent that for Preliminary Promotion Relegation the bottom 2 teams and the top 2 teams will participate in promotion relegation.  With the exception of the grades noted below where the bottom team plays top team, between;
  · Premier and Premier Reserve
  · College A1 and Premier Reserve bottom Collegiate
  · Senior A1 and Premier Reserve bottom Senior
  Over the last few years it has been noted that by re-introducing this system it could make for a more even/competitive Championship Round for most teams.

Reminders

• Intermediate Section 4 & below are required to supply their own umpire for the season – if Clubs & Schools are unable to source an umpire contact WNC for assistance.  We are looking to have training umpires on Thursday nights.  When this happens they will be assigned to a court along with an umpire coach.  Please make them welcome and allow them to take over umpiring the game.
• Intermediate Section 4 & below are not required to pay an Umpire Contribution to control, a team & umpire may have their own agreement.
• Umpire Contributions for Intermediate Sect 1-3, Collegiate, Seniors and Premier start Preliminary Round 16 May.

Thank you for your patience