THE future of netball in the Murray region has been given a major boost after it was announced a new representative team was set to form for State Titles in October.
Players in the Mallee region have largely been left out of the scope to get picked for representative sides due to their absence from the tournament for almost a decade.
A meeting was held between Netball Victoria and a representative from every league as the search for a liaison officer begins, with the next meeting slated for March 16 to discuss the viability of beginning with a Under 15s side — Under 17 and Opens sides will be omitted for the time being.
Netball Victoria regional development manager north Pam Ferrari said she hoped to bring the Murray side back to the competition to compete against eight sides from surrounding areas by the end of this year.
“We are trying to reform the region by having Regional Reference Group (RRG) meetings … the reaction to this was quite positive,” she said.
“They have gone away to talk with their associations and will come back next month to discuss their commitment and possible liaison officers.
“Once the region is running, the RRG and that officer would arrange selection trials for players. We want an under 15s team first, it is the best place to start.”
Away from the logistics of setting up the competition, Ms Ferrari believes it is a coup for the best players in the region to be given the chance to show their ability.
“It will be a talent ID for Victorian state sides, they will get put in front of scouts and into academies,” she told The Guardian.
“There are players up there that deserve the chance to be put in front of talent scouts and to take that next step [towards a career in the ANZ Championship].
“The area is largely untapped … I think we need to give them the chance to reach the potential they have.”
Central Murray Football Netball League (CMFNL) have thrown their support behind the idea for the region to reform.
“It is good for the future and is a good chance for our girls in the area to represent at a higher level,” CMFNL regional operations manager David Alderuccio said.
“I think there is a lot of talent in our area and that gets unnoticed, and I think providing these chances will help their development and for netball in the area to go forward.”
