I was one of the thousands of people who attended the BOP versus Canterbury netball game at the TECT Arena on Saturday night. What a great venue it is. I had previously been to a Waikato-BOP Magic game at the QE2 centre. Comparisons should not be drawn between the two complexes as the TECT Arena is of course purpose built as a modern sports and events centre with modern technology allowing flexibility in room size and set up.
Parking was easy and we certainly had no hold ups leaving after the game, unless of course you count the ignorant drivers who have never heard of 'merge like a zip”.
There were friendly, helpful staff available right from the front doors to guide people in the right direction.
The game itself was well worth going to. To see BOP, the newcomers to the grade actually two goals up on Canterbury the current champions, in the first half was awesome. It was also great to see new Silver Fern Anna Thompson in action.
I urge local people to get off their couches and away from the tv or computer and get out to the TECT arena to see teams like our local BOP netball teams and hopefully the Magic next season, the Breakers with some of the Tall Blacks included, and the various concerts and events arranged so far. Where else can you have a great time for $10 per seat as the netball was. There is a fantastic weekend coming up with the Breakers on the Saturday and more BOP netball on Sunday. If we don't support these games and other events then Tauranga just will not get them in future. Baypark is a lot closer than Rotorua or Hamilton.
By the way I am not associated with Baypark so I am not trying to get them a free plug, I just want to be able to take my Mum and her friends to more events like this.

Diane Jeffery, Tauranga.