Netball
17 May, 2025
Swifts take on improving Harrow-Balmoral
The Swifts A grade netball side are ready to bounce back from consecutive losses when they face Harrow-Balmoral this Saturday in round six of the Horsham District Football Netball League.
After opening the 2025 season with three straight wins, the Swifts pushed defending champions Laharum all game in a 47-38 loss before suffering a 51-35 defeat to Kalkee.
Despite the losses, Swifts coach Amy Kenny is pleased with the team, particularly amid injury and illness.
“We’re really proud of our efforts,” Kenny said.
“Laharum, it could have gone either way, and we were right with them the entire way.
“Kalkee, unfortunately, we had a week of unwell – we had gastro go through the team, and some cold and flu stuff as well.
“We’re gonna chalk some of that up to running out of legs, but that happens; that’s part of the season.”
Opponents Harrow-Balmoral will feel confident after recording a 53-41 win over Pimpinio, their first of the season.
Similar to Swifts, Harrow-Balmoral lost to Laharum in a close round two match-up, 55-48.
Despite the Swifts sitting at fifth on the ladder and Harrow-Balmoral at eighth, Kenny is not taking their opponents lightly.
“We are not going to discount them,” Kenny said.
“They had a cracking win on the weekend, which shows they’re starting to find their feet as a team.
“It is a new-looking team so they will continue to grow.
“We'll take it as any other match and try to refocus our fitness, and we're excited for another hit-out.”
The Swifts coach is encouraged by the progress and learning lessons this early in the season.
“We're still very comfortable and happy with where we're sitting – we don’t expect a linear journey,” Kenny said.
“With losses comes experience.”
In other round six games, the undefeated Rupanyup will take on seventh-placed Taylors Lake, Noradjuha Quantong will host Laharum, Kaniva Leeor United go against third-placed Kalkee, and Natimuk will host Edenhope Apsley.
Pimpinio have a bye.