There will be 71 teams from 19 netball associations taking part with representative teams coming from as far as Taree, Tamworth, Mudgee and Hastings Valley.

Hunter associations Port Stephens, Newcastle, Charlestown, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri will join hosts Maitland with competition across eight grades.

Maitland Netball Association fixtures co-ordinator Sarah Rinkin said it promised to be an exciting day of high-quality netball as the various representative teams geared up for the state championships.

Rinkin said round-robin series will be played over eight grades including 11-development, 12s, 13s, 14s, 15s, 17s, 21s and open. Each game is divided into two, 12-minute halves.

“The carnival is one of a series across the state to enable teams to get competitive outings ahead of the state championships,” Rinkin said.

It’s a huge weekend of netball with round six of the Maitland Netball Association on Saturday. 

The George Tavern will look to bounce back after losing to Hills Solicitors in the clash of A-grades two leading teams last Saturday.

The George, who are third on the table courtesy of the loss, face The Bradford who are in a tight battle with Maitland Blacks team Tolsaf Cranes for fourth spot on the ladder.

Hills are in their second top-of-the-table match in a row meeting Club Maitland City in the early game on court 34.

In the other early game, Branxton teams Royal Federal Hotel and Branxton GMP are playing for local bragging rights and their first wins of the season.

Tolsaf will chase their fourth win a row when they meet Maitland Carpet Court.

Meanwhile, final collections will be taken on the weekend for the Maitland Netball Association’s highly successful Share The Dignity campaign.

Over the past month, the association has been collecting sanitary items and other feminine products to assist homeless women, women at risk of homelessness and women in domestic violence shelters.