The decision to award a Silver Ferns test to Invercargill this year should not be viewed as a snub to Dunedin, Netball New Zealand operations manager Kate Agnew says.
An international fixture had been pencilled in for Invercargill but when Stadium Southland's roof collapsed in September last year, Netball New Zealand (NNZ) considered shifting the game.
Dunedin's Lion Foundation Arena was a good option but Agnew said the national body was satisfied the makeshift venue at the Invercargill velodrome was a suitable venue for the Silver Ferns test against England on October 6.
"When the collapse occurred, we did re-evaluate whether we would proceed or not," Agnew said.
"But the option of the velodrome is a viable one. And with the ANZ Championship running in there as well, we have the opportunity to make sure that everything is absolutely right."
Agnew said the temporary court at the velodrome was a high-quality sprung wooden floor, similar to the playing surface which is used at Auckland's Vector Arena, and she had no concerns regarding its use.
The capacity of the venue will be 2200 to 2700, which is on the light side.
But Agnew said NNZ had a flexible approach to the capacity.
It depended on the opponent and NNZ was also committed to staging tests in different locations, to provide more opportunities for fans to see the Silver Ferns play.
The decision, however, has raised a few eyebrows north of Clinton.
Netball Otago regional manager Nicki Paterson said she was disappointed Dunedin's bid to host a test was unsuccessful but ultimately understood NNZ's decision.
"We did put a bid in, because we weren't sure what the situation was going to be with Stadium Southland," Paterson said.
"NNZ feel they can hold it in the velodrome and wanted to give Southland the opportunity to hold a test ... and they had the hosting rights in the first place.
"We'd always love to have the test here, it is the same with any region. But at least it has been kept in the south and it is not far for Dunedin people to travel down for a test."
Paterson said the capacity (2800) of the Lion Foundation Arena was a stumbling block and the dimensions of the playing surface were also an issue.
There is not enough room to allow for player "run-off", and to squeeze in the digital advertising hoardings which NNZ requires in order to meet its sponsorship commitments.
The upside of that, of course, is the crowd gets close to the action and it is a very intimate setting.
But it does limit the types of games which can be staged at the venue.
"The spectators feel like they are right on top of the court, whereas when you go to Westpac in Christchurch, you're miles away from the action," Paterson said.
"But it is always going to be a challenge. If we could have another indoor stadium with a bigger capacity then we might tick a couple more boxes. But I don't think that is going to happen in the near future."
