Schools in Action – National All Schools Netball Challenge 2024

DAY 1: Monday 19 August

A beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung with poise and eloquence by Georgia Thompson was greeted with rapturous applause at the Opening Ceremony of the Schools in Action National Schools Netball Challenge at Red Energy Arena in Bendigo on Monday 19 August. This formality kicked off the competition as Catherine McAuley College Bendigo (CMCB) took to the court and got off to a terrific start against Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar, from NSW. The girls jumped out of the blocks with blistering effect and were never headed as they ran away with the match, securing a convincing win 69 goals to 13. It was a great start with all players getting some valuable court time.

Game 2 was against Kildare College (Team 2) from South Australia (SA). This was another game where the girls started with confidence and purpose. In this match the teamwork and team cohesion were at the forefront as another convincing win resulted, 76 to 16. It was the ability of all players to play in a number of positions that impressed the coaches the most, as it highlighted to them just how many ‘on-court’ combinations they had at their disposal.

Game 3, the last game of the day, was against the physically strong side from Marsden High School, Queensland. This game was a tough contest all over the court and, after turning the ball over at the first centre pass and going down a goal, the girls really kicked into action. They applied significant pressure over the ball, tightened up their accountability and began to play some amazing team netball. They soon established the status quo of the previous two games, dominating their opposition with great transitional play. The match once again enabled the coaches to implement a multitude of positional changes, with all players contributing to another dominant win, 51 to 19. This win was a fantastic finish to a long, incredible day and was the best possible start to the tournament that the girls could have hoped for.

DAY 2: Tuesday 20 August

Day 2 saw the girls start slowly against St Brigid’s College Horsham, however once they were in the groove, the girls soon established a lead and controlled the game from quarter time onwards. Once again, all players were able to be rotated through numerous positions and the team was able to extend its lead over the next three quarters. It was a terrific start to another long day. Final score 41 to 16.

Game 2 was a tough and physical encounter against Kildare College (Team 1). Kildare worked the ball well down the court and it took great teamwork in defence to affect some turnovers and ignite some dominant team play. The girls really had to battle across the four quarters of this match. They were able to gradually build a lead and consolidate their forward chances with some brilliant and accurate scoring from all the goalers. This dynamic display in the goal circle was brilliant to watch, as they capitalised on some incredible work from the mid-court cohort. This game threw up its challenges and, to the delight of the coaches, the girls were able to negate Kildare’s robust game style and secure another fantastic win, 48 goals to 25.

Game 3 was the match of the tournament to date, as the girls came up against Rowville Secondary College. Rowville also hadn’t lost a match, so the girls knew that this was going to be a massive challenge. Right from the first whistle, the game was fast paced and, at times, chaotic with both teams giving it their all – and a little bit extra! The scoreline was tight all game, with the lead changing on multiple occasions. Rowville managed to overpower the CMCB team late in the final quarter to secure a 3-goal win. The day may have ended in a loss, however the girls and the coaches took a lot of positives from the game and were keen for another shot at the Sports Academy school in the Grand Final, if they made it. Rowville 27 to CMCB 24.

DAY 3: Wednesday 21 August

Day 3 saw the girls arrive feeling a tad tired after two massive days, however they were keen for a big day ahead.

Their final pool match for the tournament was against Bendigo Education Athlete Development Program (ADP) team and a win would secure them a place in the Grand Final. The girls played brilliantly once again to score a resounding win, 47 to 18. This match was a terrific warm up for the day ahead, another chance to initiate plenty of rotations and give all the girls time on court before the highly-anticipated Grand Final.

The Grand Final against Rowville Secondary College can only be described as EPIC. It was a brilliant match contested by two very talented teams and the skill level and quality of netball on display was outstanding. After losing Lilly Hope early in the first quarter to a knee injury, the girls showed incredible resilience to come back from four goals down at one stage, to even the scores at the half-time break. The third quarter went goal for goal, as both teams started to tire and by the end of the quarter Rowville held a slender 1-goal lead. The final quarter saw the girls really press hard and established a 1-goal break on their opposition, only for Rowville to fight back and then go a goal up. However, with 20 seconds left on the clock, the CMCB team scored and the match finished in a draw after regulation time. From there, the teams had to play two 5-minute halves of extra time. This extra time period saw the game somehow go to a new level and our girls looked to have Rowville’s measure, however Rowville continued to fight to bring scores back level in the last minute. In a chaotic finish to the second half of extra time Lexie Austen scored what was thought to be the winning goal with just 3 seconds left on the clock. However, it was disallowed as she had apparently put one foot out of the goal circle when she received the ball. So, with scores still level the two teams had to keep playing until one team established a 2-goal lead. The scores once again see-sawed for what seemed like an eternity until, finally, Rowville broke the deadlock to win 37 to 35. It was an incredible match and all players were brilliant. Despite being out on their feet, no one gave up, leaving every ounce of effort out on the court.

The coaching staff and supporters were very proud, as every player represented themselves and the College with such pride and integrity.

It wasn’t the ending the girls had hoped for, however what they did achieve and how they played across the three days of the championships was amazing. Runners up to a Sports Academy School team is very impressive. Congratulations girls on a fantastic tournament.

Thank you so much to all the supporters, parents and staff that came to watch and support the team across the three days of competition. It was greatly appreciated by everyone.

Thank you to Maeve Cass and Lila Kelly who both scored and recorded stats for the entire tournament. Your willingness to help and be involved was outstanding and very much appreciated.

Thank you to William Whiteacre (Year 10) and Tarli Nihill (Year 8) who umpired on behalf of the College. Your efforts and expertise were invaluable and also very much appreciated.

Thank you to Georgia Thompson for singing the National Anthem so beautifully, on the back of a very last-minute request on the morning of the event.

Thank you also to Mrs Sharna Frawley and Mrs Belinda Pinner for coaching the girls. Your dedication was outstanding, your knowledge and ability to get the best out of all the players was brilliant and your ability to “bring the rizz” when the girls needed it the most was evident. Congratulations on guiding this team to such an incredible result.

Mrs Maree Pearce, Activities Coordinator (St Mary’s)

FIRST DAY – CMCB NATIONAL ALL SCHOOLS NETBALL CHALLENGE: Tarli Nihill (Umpire) Lila Kelly (Statistician), Ginger Hay, Juliet Hogan, Eden Pollard, Lexie Fennell, Diana Napoleon (Vice-Captain), Maeve Cass (Scorer), William Whiteacre (Umpire), Mrs Belinda Pinner (Coach), Charlize Pinder, Lexie Austen, Dempsey McDonnell, Lilly Hope (Captain), Maggie Lamb, Charli McInerney, Lexi Brennan. (Not pictured: Mrs Sharna Frawley, Coach)

FINAL DAY: Juliet Hogan, Ginger Hay, Dempsey McDonnell, Eden Pollard, Lexie Fennell, Lexie Austen, Lila Kelly, Maeve Cass, Mrs Sharna Frawley, Mrs Belinda Pinner, Diana Napoleon, Lexi Brennan, Maggie Lamb, Lilly Hope, Charlize Pinder, Charli McInerney