Netball
12 June, 2025
Junior netball reps compete at Central Vic tournament
Representatives from the Wimmera Football Netball League and Horsham District Football Netball League travelled to Bendigo last weekend to compete in the Central Victorian Netball Association tournament.
Both leagues fielded sides in the under 13s, under 15s and under 17s competition, with the Wimmera League also fielding an under 15s reserve side.
The tournament, played on Sunday June 1, consisted of a number of different leagues, including Kyabram, North Central, Central Murray, Heathcote, Loddon Valley, Echuca, Sunraysia, Golden Rivers and Bendigo.
Teams played nine or more games of seven-minute halves throughout the day.
The Wimmera Football Netball League teams had a very successful tournament, with all teams winning the majority of their games.
The under 17s team and under 15s reserve side were grand finalists, and the under 15s team narrowly missed the grand final.
Amber Mitchell, coach of the under 15s Wimmera side, was pleased with her team’s performances.
“They gelled together really well, moved the ball well,” Mitchell said.
“We had some great results against some really tough opposition.”
Looking forward to the northern region association championships, Mitchell said the tournament was good preparation as they aimed to make the state title.
“We had two losses for the day but looking back at those losses, they're definitely ones that I'll go back and do my homework on and will be looking to turn around at the association champs,” Mitchell said.
Teams from the Horsham District Football Netball League also put up a valiant effort, with all teams recording at least three wins from their nine games.
The under 17 Horsham side had a particularly successful tournament, claiming six wins.
Sharon Fedke, coach of the under 13 and under 17 Horsham sides, said she was stoked with the progression of both teams in their first tournament of the representative season.
“The under 13s, just seeing them come together as a young group, do well and improve on the day, was wonderful,” Fedke said.
“The under 17s, I think that we had some fantastic games and the girls just stepped up and played some really great netball.
“I couldn't be happier with both teams.”
The tournament served as preparation for the northern association championships, where the Wimmera and Horsham District Leagues teams will compete in Bendigo again on June 15.
The top two teams from the association championships will then go on to compete at the association championships finals on June 29 in Melbourne.