EDFNL at Association Championships
The Ellinbank & District Football Netball League was represented by four junior netball teams on Sunday 2 June at Sale Netball Association for the annual Netball Victoria Association Championships.
Held annually, over 40 teams headed to Sale for the Eastern Zone tournament in a bid to finish top two in the championship divisions to gain a birth in the finals at the State Netball Centre later in the month. Added to this pressure is to perform in short 2 x 7min halves for matches with talent scouts roaming the courts ready to spot the up-and-coming talent for an opportunity to trial for the Netball Victoria Talent Academy programs.
The 13s, coming off a successful Casey NA tournament got things moving in the right direction winning their first two games before the bye. They continued their winning streak getting five wins to start their day before a loss in the final round game against Moe & District NA by just two goals.
Finishing on top of the ladder, they were drawn West Gippsland FNC who they had beaten in Round 2 by 7 goals. Unfortunately, in the final, it was a tight contest in a low scoring match that gave West Gippsland the one goal win, to knock us out of the finals and the opportunity to return to the State Netball Centre.
The 15s Championship team started their day well, up against two big associations in Sale and Bairnsdale and getting wins on the board. A tight game against Gippsland League followed with the first loss by just three goals to a strong team with three more wins coming except for the match against West Gippsland FNC by just two goals.
After five wins on the board, and a third-place finish on the ladder after rounds games, a finals match versus Gippsland League was drawn. Unfortunately, Gippsland League were too strong winning through to the Grand Final by five goals, 10 – 15.
The 15s Reserve Team started the day with four close games but couldn’t get the wins on the board but continued to give it their all in every contest. Finally, a breakthrough win came over Bairnsdale NA by two goals followed by a draw 9-9 versus East Gippsland.
After the bye, a great win over Leongatha NA before the final round loss against neighbour West Gippsland. Despite the tough tournament with jut a couple of wins, the girls continued remained competitive ad improved throughout the day.
For the 17s the day didn’t start well with a heavy loss to North Gippsland FNL followed by another couple of losses before the wins came against East Gippsland FNL and then Warragul & District NA.
The division of 17s was extremely competitive with some very talented teams from across the Eastern zone. Despite only two wins coming for the day – the girls remained competitive, engaged and came home without any injuries – which is always a win!
A massive thank you to the coaches – Meg Ferguson & Karina Marcucci, Jessica Hammond, Shelly Brown, Cass Charles and Amity Stephens for their time, energy and commitment to coaching these young talented netballers.
Added to the coaches are the Team Managers – Sally Wilson, Kristy Black, Becki Ward and Claire Waite for their commitment to ensuring the coaches and players were all looked after.
A huge congratulations and appreciation for the umpires who represented the EDFNL in Claire McDonald, Madlyn Bosarto, Kaylee Trickey and Ali Wilms – without you, our games couldn’t proceed!
Finally, the support from the EDFNL netball team including Karen Porter, Meaghan Newitt, Deb Crowley and Debbie Hickford for your time and efforts to ensuring everything in netball for the EDFNL is done the best way possible.
