NORTH Central Netball Association will host Wimmera Netball Association in four interleague matches at Lord Nelson Park, St Arnaud, on Saturday.
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The two associations will meet in full-length 13 and under, 15 and under, 17 and under and open fixtures.
North Central secretary Michelle Lee said her association’s teams, made up of seven clubs, looked forward to facing their neighbour.
“I think it’s a nice way to showcase what we have on offer in the Wimmera-Mallee region,” she said.
“It would be nice to come away with four wins, but we played Wimmera in a Wimmera-Mallee tournament a few weeks ago and there were mixed results.
“The competition in each grade should be pretty tough.”
Playing-coach Xanthi Rice will lead North Central’s open team, while Kim Fitzpatrick and Kate Burton will coach the 17 and under side, Meg and Susie Lockhart the 15 and under team and Sharyn Lockhart the 13 and under group.
“They’re all very experienced coaches,” Lee said.
“They are putting their best teams forward and trying to develop players to compete at representative level.”
Lee said the association’s open team – which enjoyed a 23-goal win against Horsham District in the Wimmera-Mallee tournament earlier this month – contained a mixture of youth and experience.
The Wimmera open team, led by Gayle Leith, will also contain that mixture.
Leith will also coach the 15 and under side, while open player Sharon Fedke will guide the 17 and under team and Donna McKenzie the 13 and under group.
Fedke said her side was starting to come together.
“I’m trying to get that free-flowing game going. I’m big on working the space and playing a short, sharp game, so keeping control of the ball and hopefully converting goals,” she said.
“We’re starting to gel together, which is always challenging with girls coming from other clubs and having a new coach.
“The girls have been working really hard and they’re starting to come together nicely.”
Wimmera will carry winning form into the interleague contests in the two younger age groups, with triumphs at the Wimmera-Mallee tournament.
The 13 and under side edged out North Central in the final, while the 15 and under team tasted victory against Horsham District.
All eight Wimmera clubs have been represented across the four sides.
