THINGS are looking pretty good on the junior netball front out at Lalbert.
Numbers are strong, with the Mallee Eagles’ 17- and 15-and-under sides currently sitting in the top four for their competitions.
While it’s definitely early days in the season, Eagles’ netball president Virginia Allen said the club was confident in its junior programs.
“Numbers wise we’re going really well. Our under 13 reserve, we call them the Eaglettes, there are nine girls in that and they’re actually quite a good little team,” she said.
“The under 13s have nine ((players)). They haven’t won yet but they’re developing and will be doing so all year.”
Allen said the Eagles’ 15 and under side was “quite strong”.
“We’ve only got about 16 for the under 15s, so we have seven in the 15a side and 9 in the 15 reserve,” she said.
“And that’s with the opportunity every week for one to come up and get that experience, we don’t want to pigeon-hole anyone into one place.”
The Eagles 17 and under side has a squad of about nine, which Allen said rounded out the junior club well.
“We’re really pleased that it’s balanced out so well in terms of numbers,” she said.
Four 17 and under players are playing A grade this year, including co-captain Emelia Bett.
“There are things that we have done in the last few years that have been really good. We’ve had a big plan on promoting our juniors which we’ve done quite successfully,” Allen said.
