The Christchurch Netball Centre National Championship team is looking to defend its National netball title starting Monday in Wellington.

The team boasts a number of ANZ Championship players and will be spearheaded once again by Captain Anna Thompson. Rising star, Lily Fletcher, is the youngest in the squad having just turned 19 and has already represented Christchurch this year at the Under 19 championships where her performances earnt her placement in the Tournament Selection team.

The competition has been bolstered this year with 17 teams entered. The team’s closest rivals are likely to be last year’s runners up North Harbour.

Christchurch, Dunedin and Southland are the only teams from the South Island. The Christchurch pool contains Auckland, Taranaki and Tokoroa, with Christchurch opening the tournament on Day One against Tokoroa at 9am.

The Christchurch team has had three trial matches in the lead up to the Tournament. A ten goal margin over Dunedin was a pleasing start in early September in Temuka, while in Auckland with games contested over six 15 minute quarters, the team was also impressive over Auckland 90-61 and Waitakere 87-79.

The team is again coached by last year’s winning combination of Tania Hoffman (Coach) and Lee McKenzie (Assistant Coach).

The championships have been running since 1926. Finals will be contested on Friday.

LFNC TEAM: Anna Thompson, Anteisha O’Connell, Charlotte Elley, Chloe Williamson, Hannah Poff, Hayley Saunders, Jane Watson, Juliana Na’oupu, Kate Shearer, Lily Fletcher, Louise Thayer, Sophia Fenwick. Coach: Tania Hoffman; Assistant Coach: Lee McKenzie; Manager: Mandy Anderson.