A NETBALL pilgrimage with more than 40 years of tradition continued at the weekend as in excess of 1000 people ventured to the Mildura Spring Carnival.
The two-day event is one of the largest association-based netball tournaments in Victoria, giving 13 and under, 15 and under, and seniors players a chance to test their mettle against players from three states.
“A lot of netball associations from away use this to grade their players going into more competitive levels of netball, like at a state level,” Mildura Netball Association president Alex West said.
“It’s an excellent tournament for people to come and compare the level of their players within the state and also within the tri-state area.”
More than two-thirds of the almost 50 teams in the event come from beyond the Mallee, some travelling about 800km.
“These people predominantly just play all year round, summer and winter, on a Saturday,” West said.
“Coming here is part of their normal structure.”
While all 10 available courts at Mildura Sporting Precinct were in use for most of the two days, the visiting families, officials and spectators also got out and about in their downtime.
“It actually generates lots and lots of support for the local community through accommodation, restaurants, services, trade et cetera,” West said.
“Because it’s the first weekend of the school holidays, lots of families make the weekend of it continue to stay into the Mildura area after it.”
She said the event would not be possible without a dedicated committee.
“They donate their time purely and simply just to give kids an opportunity to play netball,” West said.
She said the local netball association summer competition would begin after the school holidays.
“Our mixed competition runs all year around on a Monday evening, and we’ve already got close to 20 teams entered. They’ll be played on the outdoor courts at Mildura Sporting Precinct.
“Also our competitive under-15s, under-17s and ladies’ competition will occur on a Wednesday evening and our littlies – under-9s, under-11s and under- 13s – are on a Saturday morning.”
