REPRESENTATIVE netball squads from the Horsham District Football Netball League and the Wimmera Netball Association travelled to Bendigo on Sunday.
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Both leagues fielded 13, 15 and 17 and under squads to compete in the Golden City Netball Association Tournament against representative squads from across the state.
The Wimmera Netball Association’s representative co-ordinator Gayle Leith said all the teams from the WNA competed really well.
“All three WNA teams made it to the finals,” she said. “The 13 and under made it to the semi-finals and lost to Altona in extra over-time. They did really well and finished third for the day.
“Nicole Richardson was coaching Altona and she’s an ex-Australian netballer and state coach. It’s a credit to our 13 and under girls – they had a really great tournament.
“Both of our 15 and 17 and under teams made the grand final and they both lost.”
Ms Leith said the teams had been training for less than a month.
“There were a few Melbourne and Ballarat teams so it’s really pleasing to do this well,” she said.
“We have only been training for three or four weeks and the girls performed so well. They all did a fantastic job.
They have all done more than I could have asked for and played really well and gelled well as a team.
- Seona Maybery
“We also need to thank the three umpires who came with us – Jane Richardson, Briodi McKenzie and Monique Wheaton.”
For the Horsham District teams, the 13 and under missed out on the finals narrowly and finished third.
Coach Seona Maybery said it was a great experience for the young team.
“They have all done more than I could have asked for and played really well and gelled well as a team,” she said. “Their respect for each other, myself as coach and their sportsmanship was impeccable.”
The 15 and under Horsham District side missed out on finals but managed to finish fourth overall.
Coach Michelle Wilde said all the girls put in a lot of effort.
“They not only get to represent the league but their clubs as well and this showed in the way they played – each girl gave 150% every game,” she said.
The 17 and under team won three out of their eight games and coach Rebecca McIntyre said playing at a higher level was a great test for the players.
“It’s great for them to experience playing at that level and it is something different to what they would experience on a normal Saturday,” she said.
Representative teams from both the Horsham District league and Wimmera Netball Association will travel to Bendigo on May 20 for the Netball Victoria Association Championships in the Northern Zone for a chance to compete at the final in June.