Adrian Seconi

Christchurch and Auckland each have one hand on a semifinal berth with Otago and Hamilton looking the most likely sides to join them.

Manawatu co-coach John Atkins describes himself as an accidental coach.

Auckland and Christchurch have emerged as the favourites at the national netball championships in Dunedin this week.

You hear elite athletes talking about ''the process'' a lot and frankly it gets a bit boring. So we listened intently when Otago all-rounder Ian Butler decided not to talk about the routines which have been working so well for the province during the last year.

Newly promoted Otago captain Gina Crampton has the magic touch when it comes to leading a side.

Who says you have to fly the stars in from all over the world if you want to be competitive?

Otago pace bowler Jacob Duffy was really looking forward to playing on the big stage but now has to watch the Champions League on television like the rest of us.

Olivia Bates is a fine sportswoman in her own right.

''Mumbai dodged a bullet didn't they?'', a colleague asked before this reporter's first sip of coffee had warmed the bones.

Netball South chief executive Sue Clarke is confident the Steel will play in Dunedin next year despite a sponsorship conflict threatening to prevent the fixtures from going ahead.

Aerobics followed flamboyant fitness guru Richard Simmons into relative obscurity but it is staging a revival in the South.

The butterflies will probably start later this week as the national championships draw nearer.

Otago administrator Stuart Heal has a simple message for those who think New Zealand Cricket is not a business - ''It is a $50 million business.''

Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu has a reputation as a tough task master and skipped the opportunity to issue an unqualified passmark following her side's 55-51 win against Australia in the opening game of the Constellation Cup in Invercargill last night.

By the time you read this, Otago might have already qualified for the group stage of the Champions League.

The good news is Otago's prospects in tonight's Champions League qualifier against the Kandurata Maroons has improved with the arrival of Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate.

Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate will miss Otago's opening game in the Champions League tonight but could still play a part in the tournament.

Perhaps it is a good omen. Perhaps it is just a coincidence. But Otago all-rounder Nathan McCullum has noticed some similarities between the Sydney Sixers' successful Champions League (CLT20) campaign last year and the Volts' bid to claim a larger share of the $7.7 million in prize money.

Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua will do her best at the back.