SUNRAYSIA’S elite 17-and-under netballers have impressed on their home courts to finish runner-up in the Netball Victoria Northern Association Championships.
After seven wins and a draw from their 10 games, the home side upset the previously unbeaten Wimmera 13-12 in the semi-final, before falling to a strong Bendigo outfit in the final 13-10 on Sunday.
The impressive result means the squad of Abbey Aldridge, Taya Higgins, Ebony Ietto, Ella Lane, Lola McInerney, Elke Meehan, Maggie Monaghan, Kate Morello, Evie Oldham, Ashton Wade and Torah Woodhead, and coached by Alana Mills and Ash Cameron, have qualified for the Association Finals Day in Melbourne on June 16.
Hosted by the Mildura Netball Association for the first time in a decade, 43 teams from 14 associations descended upon Mildura Sporting Precinct for the championships.
Mills, who also president of Mildura Netball Association, said it was a fantastic day.
“For a lot of the visiting teams, it was the first chance to see the MSP facility and they were glowing of it and told us how lucky we are to have access to it,” Ms Mills said.
“It was great to have six local teams enter on the day. Big thanks to the MSP who were fantastic, especially to move the grandstand into play for the finals, as well.
“The 17s girls were brilliant. Despite finishing fourth they knocked over top side Wimmera by a goal, who were undefeated prior to that game.
“Bendigo have had our measure in the last few tournaments, so it was always going to be tough, but the girls did a fantastic job.
“Most of these girls (in 13-and-under reserves) hadn’t been to tournament yet, so this was their first look at how tournament netball works and they played so well.”
The tournament also saw the inaugural Millewa representative squad for the year, with Brooke Watson coaching the 15-and-under championship side of Claudia Astill, Lilliana Bertalli, Ebony Bracken, Ruby Bowden, Scarlett Bracke, Steph Harker, Tahlia Stone, Grace Heley, Holly Kiel, Raquel Nakhla and Amelia Rowe.
“It was amazing for Millewa to have a representative team take part, so huge congratulations to the girls, Brooke Watson and Cass Morris for pulling it all together,” Mills said.
“The championships are a real opportunity for players to but their names up for talent identification, especially for the Northern Academy program.
“The results might not have been what they wanted but the fact they got a team together so quickly and were able to get on court for talent identification is a huge credit to them.”
