All Stars young guns lift Intermediate 13-14yrs netball championship trophy

MEET the junior All Stars team that claimed championship honours at this year’s Nelson Bay Netball Association Grand Final showcase.

Comprising mainly 12-year-olds, this diverse and talented line-up captured the imagination of the local sporting community with superb performances to clinch the Intermediate (13-14yrs) premiership title at the Tomaree Sports Complex courts at Salamander Bay.

After finishing third in the regular season, the emerging All Stars were one of the dominant sides during the finals series – tipping out Waveriders (66-12) and the Vipers (31-14) in elimination finals, before snaring the title with an impressive 38-31 victory over top-ranked minor premiers, Storm.

Leading coaches Sarah Matthews and Ashlee Hall proved the architects of the Grand Final triumph and had the team humming at the right time of the netball season.

For mentor Sarah, it was a third successive title with All Stars teams.

The new mum enlisted the help of the astute Hall to mastermind a top class achievement.

Hall, an experienced Nelson Bay representative coach and Volunteer of the Year, told News Of The Area that “the premiership success was a just reward for the group’s dedication and hard work during a hectic season.”

“Despite a rain-affected campaign, Sarah had the girls firing on court throughout the finals and upstaging their older opponents.”

Promising wing defence Laila Shires was the only 13-year-old in the All Stars’ squad.

Six of the players had represented Nelson Bay 12yrs team at this year’s State Junior Netball titles at Penrith: Harlow Colley, goal attack Brynn Dagwell, goal shooter Macey Matthews, wing attack Emillie Weaver and defensive duo Maeve Lewis and Scarlett Lu.

Emerging goal attack Zahli Read, a Year 6 pupil at Tomaree Public School, lined up for the Callaghan 12yrs representative team during the State championships.

Other All Stars players included injured wing attack Marley Lester who missed the Grand Final with a broken wrist, and wing defence Brooklyn Terry.

The premiership victory was the more meritorious when you consider that Storm representative goal defence Maggie Feldman took out the Umpires’ Player of the Grand Final award – making the All Stars’ quest for goals that more difficult.

A feature of the championship-winning combination was their connection on and off court, versatility, abundance of skill and ability to prosper as a team.

“They are all close friends and enjoy a special camaraderie,” said Hall.

The players come from five different schools – St Philips Christian at Salamander Bay, St Michael’s Catholic at Nelson Bay, Soldiers Point, Tomaree and Anna Bay Public.

Emillie, Brynn, Scarlett, Macey and Maeve have gained selection in the Nelson Bay 13yrs representative squad to contest the 2026 State Junior Netball titles at Camden.

By Chris KARAS