NELSON Bay’s burgeoning netball nursery is rich with outstanding junior talent.
This year’s Under 11 Development rookies made their junior representative debuts recently at the Singleton Netball Representative Carnival and were crowned undefeated champions.
It was a major achievement by the Nelson Bay whiz kids, who lapped up the pressure to win all five matches and top the standings at their first-ever representative carnival.
Under the guidance of leading coaches Ashlee Hall and Suzanne Shelley, the gifted Under 11 reps demonstrated their skill, composure and tenacity on court to stamp themselves a force to be reckoned with.
A proud Hall, who also coaches the Nelson Bay Opens representative netball squad, told News Of The Area that the girls made a “wonderful start to their netball journey”.
“It was a memorable representative debut for our Development squad – they showed skill, teamwork and sportsmanship in every match and were the only team to finish the tournament undefeated,” beamed Ashlee.
“They are all exciting prospects and a delight to coach and connect both on and off court,” she added.
The Nelson Bay Under 11s mastered the wet conditions and flexed their superiority to defeat the Singleton Reds twice (7-5 and 7-4), Woy Woy Greens (14-5), Scone (8-4) and Cessnock (7-4).
Despite the bleak weather, the girls showed their depth of talent, versatility and durability on the day to come under the scrutiny of keen judges.
Spearheaded by midcourt dynamos Faith Karas, Sailor Jenkins, Isla Trayling and Amarli Buckton the Nelson Bay outfit proved too sharp for their rivals with crisp passing and smart lay up play enabling goal attack/shooters Bella Edwards, Bonnie Preston, Willow Earnshaw and Willoughby Weber to pile on the goals.
Bella and twin sister Gemma Edwards were stand outs at either side of the court.
While Bella was creating and potting goals up front, goalkeeper Gemma was a tower of strength in defence with team mate Grace Warran – bustling their opponents with strong blocks and intercepts.
The Nelson Bay rep squad comprises the nucleus of the well drilled Stingrays Under 11s team plus players from the Little Rippers and Blazers clubs.
There were also encouraging performances and victories from the Nelson Bay 12yrs, 13-14yrs Development, 17yrs and Opens teams at the Singleton Representative Carnival with many exciting team moments.
The 13-14yrs Development side improved with each match at their first-ever carnival, playing six solid fixtures and finished the tournament with a well deserved triumph.
By Chris KARAS
