For netball particularly, The competition has a social dimension as it is a focal point where friends and family can meet and enjoy the moment or settle back watch the day unfold. It has a qualitative aspect as well as it enables participants to take ownership of a team for the day, enjoy something to brag about and foster bonding among workmates and friends. Seeing the car park full for most of the day is testament to the competitions success and if you don't believe me, come down to the courts at about 1:30 or 2:00 in the afternoon this Sunday and see for yourself. The images below do not tell a lie.
Here you’ll often find siblings playing against each other, proudly representing the company teams they work for, or daughters playing for the company that dad/mum works for. You’ll see daughters playing alongside mum and on the odd occasion, even dad will make himself conspicuous on the periphery, making it a great family day out.
Public servants have a separate competition on Saturdays where the various government departments and instrumentalities have teams to compete in the Public Servants Netball Association competition but the same kinship applies there as many will attest to. Of course all the disciplines of punctuality and fitness have to be observed because for those not being careful, an injury in netball can be an uncomfortable experience.
The biggest surprise for NTH recently is seeing a greater number of fathers, uncles, dads and boyfriends attending the courts especially on Sundays to watch and barrack for their teams. It is a change of direction but we have noticed more getting involved in lending a helping hand. They have even been noticed offering encouraging word of support at half time and barracking on the sidelines. It is good to see.
The thing that hits you first when you approach the courts each Sunday is the explosion of colour as the different uniforms quickly catch your attention and then it's the carnival atmosphere that keeps your attention until you enter the main gates. The kaleidecope of uniforms gives the competition and the day flare and is what keeps you interested. With courts 8 and 9 now being used to accomodate growth in the competition, the game is undoubtedly enjoying a popularity boom.
There are ten divisions in this year's PCNC competition with eight teams in each division. That means there are 80 active teams registered which equates to approximately 1,000 players invading the courts each Sunday to contest this growing sport. Add the supporters, the officials, the drink and buai sellers and connoisseurs of lamb flaps and there is quite a sizeable presence at the courts for the afternoon. The PSNA has perhaps half the numbers of the PCNC and have some rebuilding to do for their competition after a sluggish 2008/2009 season. Several seasons ago it was the other way around, and the PSNA was the competition rejecting teams simply to keep things manageable.
the matches themselves are an abbreviated version of the game with only 15 minute halves which means if your there only to play, then it does not take too long for you to be on your way again. Appropriate for the blistering heat of Port Moresby, but what's the sense in staying for only an hour when there’s so much fun to be had and so much to see.
There are friends to chat with, family to catch up with, gossip to exchange and then there’s the real event to watch when the powerhouses of the competition clash in the premier division. The snappy passes, the blistering speed of the court coverage, the clever maneuvers, the classic catches and intercepts and of course the bloopers always make the day a fun event.
Despite being sore and tired each weekend, it’s just simply a great Sunday or Saturday get away that brings everybody back each weekend.
See you at the courts.
Near the Hoop
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