Two shields and one runners up is great outcome for netball

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA – SANDHURST DIVISION

Netball

On Thursday 2 May, our Year 9, Year 10 and Senior Girls Netball Teams took to the Golden City Netball Courts to participate in the Sandhurst Intermediate and Senior Netball Competitions. All teams enjoyed a positive and successful day of netball.

Senior Girls

Our Senior netball girls made a fantastic start to their 2024 campaign by taking home the shield at the Sandhurst Netball Day.

The first game of the day was against their strongest opponents – Marist College Bendigo. The CMCB girls got off to a flying start, converting virtually all of their opportunities in the goal circle, and also affecting countless turnovers in defence and through the mid-court, to leave Marist stunned at the end of the first half.

With the hard work done, the girls then steadied in the second half to take home the win 20 goals to 11. It was an extremely high-intensity and well-contested game, and the girls’ convincing win gave them a lot of confidence.

The next game was against Bendigo Senior Secondary College. The girls got off to another good start as the team dominated play through the mid-court. The goalers moved and shot well in the goal circle, and the Whiteacre sisters were outstanding as they set up like a moving roadblock in defence. At full-time, another win resulted 19-12.

Game 3 was against SEDA. This game gave the coach an opportunity to showcase the depth of her squad as the girls were rotated through multiple positions. It was also a chance for some players to get valuable court time. The girls again dominated play all over the court and finished with a terrific win 21-2.

The final game of the day was against Girton Grammar School. This was another intense and skilful game with the girls unable to break clear from their opponents. It was a see-sawing game with just one or two goals the difference for most of the match. It wasn’t until the last three minutes of the game that the girls were able to break clear to record another win, 20-14.

Congratulations to all players for an exceptional performance and to their amazing coach Ms Claire Hope for keeping everyone cool and calm throughout the day. Thanks also to the sporting executive Mrs Maree Pearce who was jumping with joy at the result.

Special thanks to Will Whiteacre for umpiring throughout the day. His calm and accurate decision-making was greatly appreciated.

Jazz Rusbridge

TEAM: Jazz Rusbridge, Jaida Raco, Ciarah McDermott, Harriett Whiteacre, Ava Nihill, Milana Whiteacre, Tess Mills, Emarnee Davies, Neve Pinner, Dakota Keanelly, Sienna Eddy, Telani Bibby

Year 10 Girls

In a full-on day of netball, the Year 10 girls won four out of five games to place second overall.

The girls had an awesome start to the day, winning their first game against Crusoe College. From the first blow of the whistle, their heads were in the game, and they showcased incredible skill and motivation.

Game 2 against Bendigo South East College was another great match and a win for the girls. As a team, they got around each other and played a beautiful transitional netball.

Game 3, against Castlemaine Secondary College, was a tougher game. The defenders stepped up without hesitation, making their players accountable and every effort count. Our mid-courters bought the ball down the court smoothly and also backed each other up to create turnovers. To top it all off, the goalers’ consistency was on point, as a few different combinations ran through the circle. It was a team effort and another win resulted.

The team enjoyed a terrific win against Girton Grammar School in the last game of the round. This team was another tough opponent, but that did not stop the girls. CMCB was dominant all over the court and showed great teamwork with numerous intercepts, rebounds and goal conversions.

These wins saw the team finish top of their pool and qualify for the grand final against Marist College Bendigo. The final was a very tough game, with both sides giving everything they had. At the end of the first half, the girls were down by three goals, but the match-play would have suggested otherwise.

The girls fought back in the second half, increasing the defensive pressure, and starting to close the gap. The team created opportunities as they made multiple intercepts, but in the last few minutes, the goals just wouldn’t drop. Sadly, just as the ball was once again transitioned into the goal circle, the siren went with the girls still down by one goal. It was a fantastic match and all players put 100% into the game. It was an exciting grand final with both teams playing some terrific netball.

Overall, it was an incredible day for the Year 10 girls. A huge thank you to Mrs Belinda Pinner for being an amazing coach, and thanks to all our supporters for the encouragement. Thanks also to Mrs Maree Pearce and Mrs Holly Speed for making the day happen. Congratulations girls for your excellent efforts.

Maeve Cass (Team Manager)

TEAM: Mrs Belinda Pinner (Coach), Lexie Austen, Lila Kelly, Sophie Tyrrell, Diana Napoleon, Zara Bibby, Maeve Cass, Sunny Childs, Milla Sherriff, Charlize Pinder, Lilly Hope, Charli McInerney

Year 9 Girls

The Year 9 team was looking forward to finally having a chance to play netball as a team for 2024, with a few new members for this day of competition.

The girls played in the B Division and the Year 10 team played in the A division, as is tradition. The day started with a number of pool games, and the results were as follows:

CMCB 29 def Castlemaine Secondary College 1
CMCB 35 def Bendigo South East College 4
CMCB 21 def East Loddon P-12 College 3
CMCB 24 def Crusoe College 1

These results put us into the B Division grand final where the girls met Marist College Bendigo who had also finished top of their pool. The girls gained control early in the game with some consistent efforts across the court and some play that was awesome to watch. All ten players were able to rotate on the court in the final, as they had done all day in all of their other games. They are a very versatile team who combined well, consistently working together. This teamwork was essential and as a result, the girls emerged as winners 26-5.

Everyone in the team represented the College so well – teamwork, enjoyment of the game and the privilege of playing on such a beautiful day were all highlights. The goaling, defending, passing, court movement, disciplined and patient play was impressive, and to be commended.

Congratulations team, you were amazing. The girls are now looking forward to their next opportunity and competition.

Mrs Sharna Frawley, Teacher

TEAM: Sharna Frawley (Coach), Lexi Brennan, Rhylee Pollock, Ginger Hay, Dempsey McDonnell, Eden Pollard, Stephanie Ingram, Maggie Lamb, Juliet Hogan, Grace Mulqueen, Shannon Storey