Squad sets sights on state netball title

SUNRAYSIA’S 15 and under representative squad will step on to the court with the best junior netballers from across Victoria next month after winning the Northern Association Championship.

Travelling to Bendigo for the competition, the SFNL representatives competed against teams from across Northern Victoria before heading into the finals and defeating Wimmera for the competition win last Sunday.

Sunraysia and Wimmera will travel to Melbourne to play against the top teams from across the state in Netball Victoria’s Association Championships.

The 15 and Under team was coached by Louise Higgins and assistant coach Sharon Watson and included players from six local clubs.

Higgins said it was a big day for the girls, who played well together.

“It was good because some of them haven’t played together but they were able to gel and understand each other’s game to bring home the great performance they had,” she said.

Higgins said it was important to support the girls in order to showcase the talent of our regional location.

“You’ve got to support them and give them every opportunity, especially being so far away,” she said.

The Sunraysia 17s and Under representative team also made it into the Northern Association Championship and finished in fourth.

“Under 17s fought hard for their efforts on the day and did a good job,” Higgins said.

“(They) made it to the semi then ended up fourth.

“That was a great achievement as when you get to under 17s, the competition is just so much stronger and they stood up to them.

“They actually had the narrowest loss to the winning team (Bendigo).”

Two umpires, Gemma Higgins and Abbey Clifford, also travelled to the event showcasing the region’s umpiring ability.

The Association Championship finals are on June 18 at the State Netball Centre at Parkville.

Sunraysia 15 and under team: Torah Woodhead (Wentworth), Evie Oldham (Irymple), Annabelle Kennedy (Irymple), Elke Meehan (Mildura), Ashton Wade (Mildura), Juliet Leng (Mildura), Maggie Smith (Ouyen), Maggie Monaghan (Imps), Georgia MacDonald (South Mildura), Ella Lane (South Mildura)

17 and under team: Zoe McGinty (Mildura), Molly McDonald (Mildura), Taya Higgins (Mildura), Ashleigh Goss (Mildura), Kate Crouch (Mildura), Ava Mattschoss (Mildura), Ella Hards (Imperials), Francies Naquto (South Mildura), Lola McInerney (Wentworth), Lily Droffelaar (Irymple)