A feast of top level sport will be on the menu at the Queenstown Events Centre next week. The centre will host the Blackcaps when they take on Pakistan in a One Day International closely followed by three days of world class netball, when Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel battle it out against three other ANZ Championship teams in a Pre-Season Netball Tournament.

The One Day International’s always speak for themselves and the match scheduled for Wednesday 26 January is predicted to deliver spectators a full day of top level action-packed cricket.

The netball’s gruelling 10 game schedule kicks off on Friday 28 January giving fans the chance to see the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel, Queensland Firebirds, Mercury Energy Tactix and Haier Central Pulse will all compete in day and night sessions that run through until Sunday 30 January. The Friday evening draw will include a feature game between the Steel and Firebirds, with the semis held on Saturday and the final scheduled for 11.45am Sunday. Last year’s tournament was a sell out with a similar following expected this year. The full event draw (subject to change) can be found at: www.lakesleisure.co.nz/events/E155-Southern-Steel-Pre-Season-Netball-Tournament.html

Lakes Leisure Event Manager JD Marrable said it was a great sign that Queenstown is continuing to attract world class sport to the region.

“There are so many spin offs to the community when we can draw top level sporting events into our region. We don’t only all get to enjoy quality live sport, but the local economy always gets a boost too. Events like these and the Rugby Sevens earlier in the month, bring a lot of visitors in for the weekend.

“It is always a logistical challenge to manage the hosting of several events in the same facility in quick succession, as we are for the cricket and netball, but we love the buzz it creates and are confident the events will be delivered without a hitch. The facilities are in top condition and our team knows what they have to do to ensure Queenstown looks its best on the day,” JD said.

Lakes Leisure is selling a limited number of tickets for a Corporate Hospitality Marquee at the cricket which can be purchased by emailing petina@ihug.co.nz. Match tickets for the One Day International can be purchased at www.ticketek.co.nz. Tickets for the netball can be purchased at www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Photo captions: New Years Eve 2008 ODI, Blackcaps vs. West Indies and 2010 Pre-Season Netball Tournament, Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel vs. Queensland Firebirds.

ENDS

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