A Tauranga men’s netball team has claimed its second national title in two years – after just four seasons of playing.

The team – part Tauranga Netball Centre – won Reserve One at the NZMMNA New Zealand Men’s Netball Nationals 2026 in Wellington over Easter weekend.

Team manager Ang Hays said the achievement was a proud moment locally for the growing code.

“We took out the Reserve One title this year, and last year we won Reserve Two, so to go back-to-back and move up into B grade is huge for us,” she said.

Tauranga Netball Centre (TNC) manager Tracy Walters said Ephraim Ormsby approached the centre in 2023, asking for a men’s team to be included in grading for the Open Women’s Premier Competition.

“Following consultation with existing premier teams, approval was granted,” Walters said. “The team competed in the women’s premier competition for two seasons, which ultimately led to the establishment of a dedicated Men’s Premier League in 2025.”

This season, in addition to the representative team competing on the national stage, TNC was fielding four teams in the Open Men’s Premier competition.

Tauranga Men’s Netball team coach Shelley Norris with player Keni Kingi. Photo / Supplied

This made it one of the few regions of comparative size in New Zealand offering a structured competition at that level, Walters said.

“We recognise there is still more to be done, but the foundations are strong, and the interest is definitely growing,” she said.

The men’s representative programme was formally established last season when TNC affiliated with the New Zealand Men’s and Mixed Netball Association.

Walters credited the team’s recent success to strong coaching, organisation and culture.

“It comes down to strong coaching and management, but also the players’ attitudes and commitment,” she said. “They’ve really bought into the programme.”

At the nationals at Easter, teams competed across A grade, B grade, Reserve One, under-20s and Masters divisions.

Tauranga’s promotion to B grade places them one step below the country’s top-tier competition.

“The goal now is to push into A grade,” Hays said. “That’s where your top NZ men’s players are.”

She said the team’s win was more notable given the challenges facing the sport – some grades shrunk in size this year due to travel costs and timing of the Easter tournament.

Despite that, Tauranga’s squad showed determination – bolstered by players returning from overseas, she said.

Ormsby, now based in Melbourne, travelled home to compete alongside fellow player Maanaki Tai from Ōpōtiki.

“To have their experience and knowledge come back into the team has been huge, especially for our younger players,” Hays said.

Ephraim Ormsby, team manager Ang Hays, and Maanaki Tai. Photo / Supplied

Hays also highlighted the strong sense of community within men’s netball.

“It’s like one big family. The environment is amazing, and that’s a big reason why the guys keep coming back. They love the game, but they also love being part of the team.”

Moreover, the men’s success was being felt across the wider Tauranga netball community, Walters said. “Players who may have previously represented other regions are now able to train, develop, and compete locally,” Walters said.

“It’s also created opportunities for experienced coaches and players to give back within their own community.”

At junior level, boys can play netball up to age 13 under Netball New Zealand regulations, and Tauranga had allowed boys to participate in college competitions since 2023, with one male player permitted on court at a time.

But Walters said the transition from school to senior men’s netball remained a challenge, with players lost to other regions offering different formats of the game.

“One of the gaps we see is the pathway beyond college,” she said. “An indoor nets netball competition in Tauranga would help provide more development opportunities and keep more players in the game locally.”

Walters said TNC was focused on strengthening the men’s programme via improved funding structures, increased participation and clearer pathways for players, coaches and officials.

“We’re also looking at establishing a separate constitution to support funding as the programme grows,” Walters said.

“We are confident the game will continue to grow and provide meaningful opportunities for all involved.”