Time is drawing closer for the Bay of Plenty Gold team's encounter with Canterbury on September 3 at the new TECT Arena at Baypark.

The Canterbury team is effectively the Tactix ANZ Championship franchise team so the task ahead is monumental for the local side, but they remain undeterred according to their coach.

The Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre at Memorial Park is the venue for some top level provincial netball matches this weekend.

In preparation for the big game, the Bay side has invited three other provincial teams to compete in a series of warm-up games at the QEYC this weekend.

The games are open to the public for a gold coin donation and the chance to see some top provincial sides in action.

'We are using the games this weekend to trial our own combinations and give the squad of sixteen players some court time before their important encounter with Canterbury,” says Bay of Plenty coach Mary Jane Araroa.

'The Auckland Waitakere team is second on the ladder in first division and lost to Canterbury by one goal in the final last year.

'They will be strong rivals and will push us hard.

'It's what we'll need to make us steely and focused on the encounter ahead.”

Draw

Saturday 13 August

10.00am Western v Bay of Plenty Gold

2.00pm Western v Bay of Plenty Invitation

2.30pm Auckland Waitakere v Waikato

Sunday 14 August

9.15am Auckland Waitakere v Western

12.00pm Auckland Waitakere v Bay of Plenty Gold

2.00pm Bay of Plenty Gold v Waikato