Tauranga netballer Cassie Delany scored the experience of a lifetime when she won the opportunity to meet their idols of the ANZ Premiership at the Magic v Stars match at Trustpower Baypark on Saturday March 11, when she was named an ANZ Future Captain.

Nine-year-old Cassie who plays for Oropi School experienced what it's like to be an ANZ Premiership player when she led the teams onto the court, got up-close with the players, and caught the action from prime courtside seats.

Cassie's friend Payton Williams was able to join her. Cassie said the whole experience was really amazing and inspiring.

'My favourite part of the day was being able to give the players a high five on court. I got to take a few photos and meet my favourite player Charlotte Elley from Magic.

Cassie had front row seats to see all the action.

'It was so cool to see how fast the players could run,” says Cassie.

ANZ Bank of New Zealand Head of Sponsorship Sarah Rogan says ANZ is committed to its support of netball from grassroots players in the community to the elite players in the ANZ Premiership and Silver Ferns.

ANZ Future Captains Cassie Delany and Payton Williams at the Magic v Stars ANZ Premiership match at Trustpower Arena in Tauranga. Photo: Michael Bradley..

'That's why we're giving 98 young netball fans, like Cassie, the chance to meet their idols of the ANZ Premiership and experience the magic of a live game," says Sarah.

'Sport is incredibly important to a child's wellbeing and what better way to be inspired to get involved than to watch those at the top of their game.

'We hope this opportunity shows these young fans how far they can go with netball and inspires them to follow their dreams into the game.”

ANZ has supported netball from grassroots games in the community, to the elite level for the past 14 years.

Applications for the ANZ Future Captains programme are now open at ANZcourtside.co.nz