NELSON Bay’s emerging Under 11 netballers took a look into the future at the recent Mini State Netball Junior Representative Development Carnival in Newcastle.
The promising crop experienced the rigours of two day tournament play against leading teams from the Hunter, Sydney, North Coast and South Coast regions in preparation for next year’s State Junior Titles.
It was a challenging tournament for the Bay youngsters who won four and drew one of their 11 fixtures to finish with a top eight ranking.
Nelson Bay Representative coach Ashlee Hall told News Of The Area that the squad will benefit enormously from the experience.
“It was a steep learning curve for all our girls who were brave against more experienced sides,” said Ashlee.
“During the 10-week program the squad developed their court skills and broadened their netball education to become a highly competitive unit.”
Nelson Bay posted wins over Woy Woy Blue (10-3), Callaghan Teal (8-7), Wyong (11-3) and Wollondilly (13-6) and drew five-all with Singleton in their final pool game.
The team showed tenacity and courage in hard fought losses to Hastings Valley (6-2), Kurri Kurri (9-8) and Eastwood Ryde (10-2) and plenty of steel against carnival winners Illawarra and the well-drilled Charlestown and Newcastle outfits.
Leading the way for the Bay team were midcourt aces Faith Karas, Sailor Jenkins, Amarli Buckton and Jacinta Scott with goal shooter Willow Earnshaw and the promising Edwards twins Bella and Gemma at goal attack and goalkeeper.
Lending support were prolific goal shooters Bonnie Preston, Willoughby Weber and Emily Noble and young defenders Grace Warran and Cassia Stallard.
Injured utility Isla Trayling missed the Newcastle carnival but was a key player at earlier tournaments.
The talented Nelson Bay squad won its first junior representative carnival on debut at Singleton and performed strongly at other events at Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Kurri Kurri in a show of things to come.
By Chris KARAS
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