Netball Manawatu

Ko wai au,

Ko Pūtauaki te Maunga

Ko Rangitaiki te Awa

Ko Ngāti Awa te Iwi

Ko Ngāti Hamua te Hapu

Ko Te Maapou te Marae

Ko Mataatua te Waka

Ko Ashleigh-Kate Araroa-Waerea ahau and I am proud to be the General Manager for Netball Manawatū.

I have been a part of the organisation now for 4 years, working alongside some amazing teammates in the office, a vast, diverse Board of Trustees, and an awesome open and approachable community.

What I have enjoyed the most about working for Netball Manawatu is the people and the opportunities. The opportunities to meet new people just as passionate about the game as we all are, the connections and relationships you create and of course being a part of influence and changes that benefit and impact so many of our future generations.

I am looking forward to this new challenge in how we can best support the community to thrive in all areas of the game, on and off the court.

If you need me, I am contactable via phone or email. You can guarantee to catch me on Monday to Friday on the following times:

Monday – 10.00am – 7.00pm

Tuesday – 10.00am – 9.00pm

Wednesday – 8.30am – 5.00pm

Thursday – 8.30am – 5.00pm

Friday – 10.00am – 5.00pm

If you miss me, I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can!

I look forward to meeting, connecting or re-connecting with you soon.

Hello the amazing Netball Manawatu Community,

I have had the privilege of being a part of the organization for 3 years now officially as an employee after an incredible practicum with Massey University. When the opportunity became available to join the team, I was excited to learn, grow, and continue on with some of the work I have been doing as part of my practicum. My sport of choice in High School was Hockey, so learning about a different sport has been such an awesome journey to be a part of.

Previously the Community Engagement Officer for Netball Manawatu, I have now moved across to the Development Officer and I am learning as I go!

I have enjoyed connecting with the community, meeting new faces, and being recognized as the "Netball lady" to the little ones out in the community. I have now become the Representative lead, student coach mentor, and Umpire Development with my new role.

I am excited about the opportunities to learn and grow with you all in this new role of mine.

As you know, our team works tirelessly (sometimes endlessly) to provide top-notch support to our community. While I am out in the community delivering programs, you will guarantee to hear from me between these times via email or phone:

Monday: 10:30 am – 6:30 pm

Tuesday 10:30 am – 7:30 pm

Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Thursday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

Friday 10:30 am – 4:30 pm

If you miss me, I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can!

Looking forward to continuing to connect with you in this new role!

Kia Ora te hāpori netipōro

I am so excited to join the Netball Manawatu team and share my netball passion with you all. I absolutely love netball (I mean come on who doesn’t eat, sleep, dream & talk netball?). I have two daughters-1 who is a bit netball crazy like me, and the other is into all things cars.

If you're a local at Vautier Park I’m sure you will have seen (or heard) me on the sideline of many courts encouraging and supporting whanau and friends for the past 10+ years.

My experience within the netball community ranges from a player (many MANY moons ago), and coaching for the past 15yrs at local Feilding primary schools, intermediate, high school & club. For the past 4 years, I have had the pleasure of getting the Feilding Year 1&2 FutureFernz programme up & running, and sharing my love with the tamariki of Feilding & surrounding country schools.

Now in my new role, I am learning and growing each week. You can guarantee to hear from me between these times via email or phone call:

Mon 10am-8pm

Tues 10am-9pm

Wed 9am-5pm

Thurs 10am-5pm

Fri 10am-5pm

If you see me around the courts don’t be shy to come and say Kia Ora!

Hello Netball Manawatū Community

What an absolute privilege it has been to work at Netball Manawatū for the past 7 months as the Community Engagement Officer. It has been great to work alongside such an amazing team and get to know the amazing Netball Community that we have here in the Manawatū. I can't wait to get to know many more of you throughout the year.

I have really enjoyed providing the Boys in Netball Programme and the No Limits Programme to many Schools in the Manawatū and Horowhenua area. I can't wait to provide this to more schools in the area. If this is something your school would like please get in touch.

It has been great to pass on my knowledge from the Intership I did with NetballSmart onto the community. It has been great to educate the community on the importance of warming up correctly and with intent. Whether you are a 5 year old starting out in the FutureFerns Programme or an adult in the summer social league it is important to make sure you are ready for the movement and impact you will encounter on the court and to help to reduce the risk of injuries.

I am really passionate about everyone in the community having fun while playing sport, and enjoying walking around the courts and meeting as many people as I can. Make sure you come and say hello if you see me walking around!

Previously I have worked at Manawatū Gymsports as a Gymnastics Coach, Recreational Lead and Coach Developer. I am still doing Coach Development at Manawatū Gymsports which I am really passionate about. It is great to be able to work together and I think working with other sports is really important in providing kids with the best opportunities and a wide range of sports.

I can't wait to continue growing in this space with you all and to provide a fun and safe space for our tamariki to learn and grow, not just in the sport, but help to shape and grow them into resilient individuals while playing a sport they love.

You may have seen me on the odd occassion, jump onto the court if teams are down a player... So if you ever need a player or a sub to give someone a break come and find me.. I won't be too far away!

If you need me you can gurantee to hear from me between these times via e-mail

Monday- 10:30am- 4:30pm

Tuesday- 10:30am- 4:00pm (In schools this day)

Wednesday- 10:30am- 5:00pm (In schools this day)

Thursday- 10:30am- 5:00pm (In schools this day)

Friday- 10:30am- 4:00pm

If you miss me, I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can!

I look forward to meeting, connecting or re- connecting with you soon.

Kia Ora Koutou,

I am so privileged to be working alongside an amazing collaborative team at Netball Manawatū, and to share my passion of Netball with you all.

I am looking forward to this new challenge, and working alongside the Netball community/ wider community, to help the development and growth in coaches.

It has been awesome connecting with the community/ wider community, and engaging with a variety of different people.

I am very excited about the opportunities to learn and grow within the community as Coach Development Officer.

I have been involved with Netball for over 20+ years. Over that time I have gained knowledge from playing, umpiring and coaching children at primary, intermediate, secondary level and adults at premier club level.

For the past 5 years I have had the pleasure of coaching development and representative teams for Netball Manawatū. I am very passionate about seeing people developing and growing within thhe Netball community, to learn in a positive, fun, safe environement, to grow with confidence, and to enjoy the game of Netball.

I am very excited about the opportunities to learn and grow within the community as the Coach Development Officer.

If you need me, you can gurantee to hear from me between these times via e-mail :

Monday 10:30am- 6:30pm

Tuesday- 10:30am- 5:00pm

Wednesday- 8:30am- 5:00pm

Thursday- 8:30am- 5:00pm

Friday- 10:30am- 4:30pm

If you miss me, I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can!

I look forward to connecting or reconnecting with you.

Betty Steffensen
Netball Manawatu Patron

After over 60 years of involvement in Netball Manawatu as a player, coach, umpire, administrator, I was privileged to be invited to become Patron of Netball Manawatu in 2016.

In that capacity, I endeavour to add support and awareness of Netball Manawatu within the wider community and share my knowledge as requested with those in the Leadership positions.

Betty Steffensen.
QSM 1990
Recipient Women’s Suffrage Medal 1993
Legend of Sport Manawatu 2007
Life Member Netball Manawatu
Life Member Netball New Zealand