Students from five lucky schools across New Zealand were given an opportunity to sharpen their skills on the netball court this year, after winning an intimate skills clinic training session with ANZ Championship players in a promotion run by OfficeMax.

Belfast Primary School; Elim Christian College; Rangiora High School; St Oran’s College; and Western Heights High School are sure to have the winning edge in their competitions following their sessions with some of the leading players in the country.

OfficeMax General Manager for Education, Suzanne Flannagan, said that the promotion is an extension of OfficeMax’s sponsorship of the ANZ Championship, and provided an opportunity to give a once-in-a-lifetime experience to students.

“The clinics are a fitting way to give back to the schools and students who have supported us over the years.  Hopefully the clinic inspires them to be their best on and off the netball court and shows them that with hard work and determination anything can be achieved,” Suzanne said.

“The players were very generous with their time, with one school even invited along to the team’s practice game, everyone absolutely loved the experience by all accounts. 

“ANZ Championship embodies so many things that OfficeMax stands for and these are traits we’d love to pass onto our youngest customers,” she said.

OfficeMax has just finished the second year of its sponsorship which also includes three-quarter-time entertainment, hospitality and signage at the games and has found the relationship has been mutually beneficial.

Andy Crook, ANZ Championship General Manager said "It's fantastic for players to get out and meet fans of the game, especially younger players,”

“It's always a humbling and inspiring experience to get amongst grass-roots netball, where a lot of the players started themselves. New Zealand has a reputation for developing and fostering emerging young netball talent, so it's also good to keep them on their toes," Andy said