A GROUP of fun-loving, free-spirited netballers from the Nelson Bay ranks have stumbled on a recipe for success.
The junior Stingrays netball team are a special combination that has captured this year’s Nelson Bay Netball Association Intermediate under-14s premiership at the Tomaree Sports Complex courts.
The Stingrays defeated the more fancied minor premiers, Wave Riders – aged two years older – to be crowned Intermediate champions.
Under the guidance of leading netball mentor Linda Byrnes, the whiz kids toppled their more senior opponents 46-40 in extra time to secure back-to-back titles.
Eight of the Stingrays’ winning squad – midcourters Sailor Jenkins, Jacinta Scott, Amarli Buckton, Isla Trayling, defenders Gemma Edwards, Cassia Stallard, Bailey Oates and star goal shooter Bella Edwards are aged 12.
They were joined by 13-year-old midcourter Isabelle Archer, who was named Player of the Grand Final after her standout performance in the trophy decider.
After finishing third in the regular season, the Stingrays eliminated the Hornets 41-39 and second-ranked Vipers 31-26 in the preliminary final to reach a third successive grand final.
Coach Byrnes described her charges as a “beautiful, talented bunch of girls” that thrive under pressure.
“They have exceptional skills and used their speed, durability and court craft to good effect during the finals,” said Byrnes, who also coached the Nelson Bay Opens representative team at this year’s State Senior titles.
She has mentored the girls since forming the Stingrays back in 2021 with seven-year-olds in the local Net Set Go program.
As 10-year-olds, they lost their first grand final against the Wave Riders in under-12s before winning the under-11s competition last year against the Little Rippers.
Five of the Stingrays – twins Bella and Gemma and midcourt aces Sailor, Jacinta and Amarli – also starred for the Nelson Bay under-12s representative team that earned a Blue Patch for finishing runners-up at this year’s Netball NSW Junior State Division 3 titles at Camden.
Cassia and Isla were part of the Nelson Bay under-11s Development Squad in 2025.
“The girls are a close-knit group and go out and have fun each week,” Byrnes said.
“During matches, they even encourage their opponents despite the scoreline in a show of goodwill and sportsmanship – it’s a wonderful trait to have.”
By Chris KARAS
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