SSV State Netball – Year 8 Champions and Year 7 Runners Up

SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA: STATE NETBALL FINALS

YEAR 7 & YEAR 8 GIRLS

Year 7 State Runners Up!

On Friday 6 September, the Year 7 Girls Netball Team once again went to Melbourne, this time for the School Sport Victoria State Netball Final. It was an early start, leaving at 6.00am, as the games were played at the Waverley Netball Centre.

The games consisted of four 7-minute quarters, so the longer game format was going to require some adjustment to game strategy. The first game was against Frankston and, over the course of the match, the teams court play improved with all players contributing. A good first up win resulted, 22 to 12. The second game was against Sacred Heart College, Kyneton. In this match the team dominated all over the court, with excellent shooting, mid-court passes and great defence resulting in a 27 to 9 victory. The third game of the round was against Horsham College. The girls were expecting this to be a tough game, however once again the team worked together brilliantly to come away with another commanding win, 25 to14. This win saw the girls finish on top of their pool and hence qualify for the Semi Finals.

The Semi Final was played against Cathedral College, Wangaratta. This was a tougher game, with scores quite close at half time. In the second half the girls lifted their intensity and were able to capitalise on their opposition’s errors, pick up the loose balls and create turnovers, enabling them to pull away and win 23 goals to 12 and consequently qualify for the State Final.

The Grand Final was against Rowville Secondary College and right from the first whistle Rowville came out hard and fast and managed to gain a slight lead. However, the girls knuckled down, found their groove and managed to fight back to be even at quarter time. Rowville was proving to be a very difficult and physical team to play against and the girls had trouble adapting to this style of game play.  As the match went on, Rowville continued to apply enormous pressure but, to the girl’s credit, they did not drop their heads and fought the good fight right to the end.  Despite giving it their all, the girls were unable to keep up with their opposition’s intensity, going down in a high quality match 22 to 15.

It was a fantastic effort by all players who contributed to the success of this team, being versatile and adaptive throughout the multiple days of competition.

A big thank you also to Clare Hope for assisting the team on the day. Well done girls on finishing as State Runners Up – an outstanding achievement by a brilliant team.

Ruby Kelly, Forest Jackson-Leahy, Evie Gretgrix, Harper Gordon, Mila Childs, Julie Fennell (Coach), Ava Hope, Sienna Raco, Marlie Skinner, Milla Dalton, Elle Gilchrist, Ellie Macumber (not pictured)

Year 8 Girls Netball Team Triumphs Again!

For the second year in a row, our Year 8 Girls Netball Team has captured the prestigious SSV State Title, showcasing their talent, teamwork and determination. This victory caps off an incredible season, where the girls also claimed the Victorian Schools Championship just three weeks ago, completing an impressive state double!

The journey to the title began with a sluggish start in their first match against Mornington Secondary College. The team struggled to find their rhythm in the first half but fought their way back into the game, eventually securing a 31 to 15 victory. Special mention goes to Macey Pinner, Eva Grant, and Lilly Teuma, who worked tirelessly in defence, taking numerous intercepts and helping turn the tide.

In the second game, the team hit their stride, coming out strongly against Emmanuel College Warrnambool. This was a much more confident and commanding display, reminiscent of their usual high-calibre performance, leading to a 28 to 15 win. Our midcourt players, Molly Beasley, Imogen Brown, Elodie Sharman, Tarli Nihill and Lexi Arundell, dominated play, demonstrating their incredible skill and cohesion.

The third game saw the girls playing with complete control and dominance, cruising to a 37 to 11 win. It was a great lead-up to the finals, giving the team a chance to fine-tune their gameplay. Mia Cox and Sophie McDermott led the way in this match with a clinical shooting performance that left their opponents scrambling.

In the semi-final, the girls faced Rowville Secondary College, a team known for their strength and resilience. Despite the challenge, our girls rose to the occasion, winning 23 to 12 and setting the stage for a thrilling final.

The Grand Final was a rematch against last year’s opponents, Western Heights College. Our team put on a masterclass in netball, dominating every aspect of the game to win 40 to 18 and securing their second consecutive SSV State Title.

This incredible achievement is a testament to the versatility and strength of the entire squad. No matter the position, each player stepped up when it counted, showcasing their depth and adaptability across the court.

Congratulations to all the girls on an outstanding season! Winning both the Victorian Schools Championships and the School Sport Victoria State Title is a remarkable feat and we couldn’t be prouder of this talented group of athletes.

Hannah Gretgrix (Coach), Macey Pinner, Lilly Teuma, Mia Cox, Sophie McDermott, Elodie Sharman, Belinda Pinner (Assistant Coach), Alexis Arundell, Imogen Brown, Eva Grant, Molly Beasley, Tarli Nihill