Wimmera and Horsham District junior netball squads showed the region’s strength at the weekend in the Ballarat Netball Association’s annual tournament.

The Wimmera league sent four junior teams – a 17-and-under squad, a 15-and-under squad and a 13-and-under squad, as well as a 15-and-under development team – with all but the development team winning their respective grand finals.

The District league sent three squads, one in each age group, with the 15-and-under team losing to Wimmera by two goals in the grand final and the 13-and-under squad knocked out in a semi-final, also by the Wimmera.

Junior netball representatives for both leagues said they were thrilled with the results, which they said showed the strength of the sport.

“The fact we had Wimmera teams and Horsham District teams doing really well shows we’ve got some outstanding players here in our region,” Horsham District junior netball coordinator Sharon Fedke said.

“It’s a great testament to the things we’re doing here. I’m rapt our area has done so well at this tournament.”

Wimmera league netball co-ordinator Toni Stewart said the squad teams were part of the league’s junior talent pathway.

“Our squad teams train and go to these tournaments to try to get into the Netball Victoria Northern Zone Academy,” she said.

“A few got into the academy last year, which was great – it’s what we’re aiming for.

“We’ve some great coaches on board – we’re always really lucky with the coaches that we get.”

Fedke said the tournament was ‘a great opportunity’ for the players.

“All the girls had a hard, competitive day, but a fun day, too,” she said.

“I think they enjoy playing with different girls to what they do on a Saturday. It gives them a different perspective on things.”

Teams from both leagues will take part in the Netball Victoria Association Championships later this month.

The Wimmera league will also send two junior football teams to the South West District Football Netball League’s junior carnival in Portland this weekend, marking the first time in 30 years the league has fielded junior representative sides.

Representing the league will be – 

Under-17: Cooper Evans, Patrick Toner, Jed Rhodes, Ararat; Archer Laverty, Dimboola; Gibson Perry, Mitchell Mcauliff, Cooper Jadine, Monty Wynne, Max Bunworth, Horsham; Zane Munyard, Drew Harris, Jesse Taylor, Kai Newton, Horsham Saints; Charlie Gawith, Xavier Shevlin, Minyip-Murtoa; Bronte Hiscock, Nhill; Cooper Stasinowsky, Southern Mallee Thunder; Ferrari Batsiua, Wimbledon Hubert, Ashton Mellor, Kai Knight, Stawell; Nicholas Steib, Jarve Beney, Kobe MacGregor, Warrack Eagles. 

Under-14: Billy Jenkins, Tanu Parsons, Hamish Barr, Judd Marsh, Oliver Reynolds, Ararat; Dane Paech, Reef Ward, Dimboola; Lincoln Tucker, Chaz Smith, Aiden Kleinitz, Jaega Mccall, Zac Martin, Henry Walsgott, Joshua Kalms, Horsham; Harry Hicks, LJ Kafegellis, Chase David Kannar, Horsham Saints; Ryder Hudson, Minyip-Murtoa; Cooper Gebert, Charlie Bell, Nhill; Max Spokes, Maxwell Roberts, Southern Mallee Thunder; Charlie Dunn, Tom Collins, Stawell; Thomas Penny, Tyson Garlick, Warrack Eagles.

– Colin MacGillivray

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