Papamoa Beach netballer Miriana Rei has been named an ANZ Future Captain after she won the opportunity to meet their idols of the ANZ Premiership at the Magic v Tactix match at Trustpower Baypark.

Ten-year-old Miriana, who attends Tahatai Coast Primary 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.

Miriana's sister, 13-year-old Anahera Rei, was able to join her.

Miriana says getting to see the game up close was the most exciting part of being a Future Captain.

'It was really cool because I got to high five the players and get photos with the captains. It was fun getting to go on court with my sister.”

The Year 6 student has been playing netball for the past three years and says she likes shooting and has been practising and getting better.

'I really like playing netball. I like getting to play with my friends and winning.”

She says she was impressed by the ANZ Premiership players' fast passing and she plans to
practise that when the season starts in term 2.

'My goal is to become a much better player and one day become a Silver Fern.”

ANZ Bank of New Zealand Head of Sponsorship Sarah Rogan said 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.

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

'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 www.ANZcourtside.co.nz