The top 16 teams to compete for the Margaret Forsyth Cup have been determined after the completion of pool play at the 2025 Netball NZ U18 Champs being hosted at the Waitākere Netball Centre.
With the tournament being played outdoors, the second day's play produced cool and overcast conditions for the teams ahead of Wednesday's post-section play.
With 35 teams in the women's U18 grade, all teams will now be allocated into three groups with the top two teams from each of the original pools completing the top 16 Championship. The second group will contest the Plate for places 17–32, while the bottom three will play in the Bowl and final place playoffs for 33rd to 35th.
Eight teams – Auckland, Waitākere 1, Wellington Black, Howick Pakuranga, Dunedin, North Harbour 1, Hamilton City A and Christchurch Red – went through pool play unbeaten and would be favoured to progress through to the top eight tomorrow.
However, defending champions Auckland were pushed all the way before sneaking a tight 44-43 win over Manawatu Green in pool play.
"Players will be challenged on more even terms tomorrow and how they cope will be another test for these young athletes," Netball New Zealand Programs Manager Nicky Cattermoul said.
"There's also the challenge of being outdoors and whatever the weather might throw up. But we're seeing some good quality netball from a lot of these teams and it's encouraging to see these younger players just getting in there, working really hard and showing the necessary composure.
"The real test will come the further we get into the tournament."
The quarter-finals will be played tomorrow afternoon.
With the male side of the game increasing in popularity, this year a record nine teams feature in the men's U18 grade, where defending champions Waitākere 1 and Dannevirke were the only two sides to come through pool play undefeated.
Howick Pakuranga and Kerikeri have suffered one loss apiece and those four teams will contest the men's semifinals tomorrow afternoon, with the rest of the teams playing in final-place playoffs in the morning.
The Netball NZ U18 Champs honour former Silver Ferns shooting great Margaret Forsyth, who passed away in 2021, with teams vying for the trophy which bears her name.
For day-to-day progress results and live scoring, click here.