JUNIOR representative sides from the Horsham District league will travel to Echuca to compete in the Northern Zone Association Championships on Sunday.
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Teams due to travel to Echuca include a 17-and-under side, a 15-and-under side and a 13-and-under side.
All three teams played at the Golden City Tournament in Bendigo and competed against Colac in the interleague round during May.
None of the sides could clinch victory in the interleague round – but AFL Wimmera-Mallee netball manager Nikki Ervin said the sides have had time to gel more in recent weeks.
Ervin said Northern Zone was a great opportunity for young netballers to take another step in the junior development program.
“Players have a chance to be talent identified and then be chosen to try-out for state selection,” she said.
“It’s the beginning of the player pathway.
“They have a chance to play one of the highest standards of netball.”
If a side manages to make it to the grand final in its respective age group of the tournament, they will go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the state.
Ervin said the Horsham District league had been successful in making it to the next stage in the past.
“Players will start at 9am and, depending on how far they go, will finish between 3pm and 4pm,” Ervin said.
“It’s a big day of fast and hard netball.
“You can’t take your foot off the pedal.
“It helps netballers in the region develop their netball and develop long-term friendships.”