BEFORE the netball season opens in the Central Murray this weekend, junior interleague squads have been announced for both the Central Murray and Golden Rivers junior representative events.
Three age groups will represent each of the leagues in the coming months, with competition set to take place over April and May.
The girls will travel to Shepparton for their first taste of representative netball this year, as they compete in a tournament on Sunday, April 28.
They will then move on to a tournament in Echuca on Sunday, May 19, before battling it out in Mildura for the Northern Association Championships in Mildura on May 26.
Central Rivers league manager Jessie Chester said that Interleague is always one of the big highlights for netballers in the region.
“Interleague is a super exciting opportunity,” she said.
“Especially for the girls who haven’t experienced it yet in the 13-and-under bracket.
“But it’s equally as exciting for those girls in the older age groups who just want to continue progressing through their netball journeys.”
Chester said that being such a strong region for junior netball, it was important to have strong pathways for them to follow.
“There are so many opportunities as pathways to take their netball to the next level if that’s what they wish to do,” she said.
“This year already, we’ve had our league academies and the Murray Region state titles, so a lot of these girls are primed now to take part in the interleague tournaments.”
And it’s not only netballers who have been recognised for their abilities, with those who will lead the young teams also named alongside the squads.
Chester said that it was just as important to recognise the coaches.
“It’s such a big region that we cover, so for these coaches to be the face and the mentor of the team is such an honour.
“I think you will always remember those representative coaches that you had at a young age.
“I’d love for as many people as possible to get down there and support the girls.
“I know it’s a bit of a drive, but it’s the perfect opportunity to witness stars in the making.”
INTERLEAGUE SQUADS
CENTRAL MURRAY
13& Under
Head Coach: Belinda Davies
Addison Papa – Balranald
Laela Grayling – Kerang
Evie Kelly – Lake Boga
Zarli Anderson – Lake Boga
Arlie Thompson – NNW United
Asha Neuschafer – Swan Hill
Lola Patterson – Swan Hill
Maya Henson – Tooleybuc-Manangatang
Sophie Kentish – Tooleybuc-Manangatang*
Eliza Lawry – Tyntynder
Lily Nalder – Tyntynder
Maddie Free – Woorinen*
15 & Under
Co-coaches: Natalie Plant and Toni Bolton
Isabella Papa – Balranald
Lily Wise – Kerang
Jenna Gray – Kerang
Chloe Meehan – Kerang *
Evie Snowdon – Koondrook Barham
Ruby Ryan – Lake Boga
Miela Roberts – Swan Hill
Isla Beasy – Swan Hill
Chloe Nalder – Tyntynder
Violet Corrie – Tyntynder
Kieley Styles – Tyntynder *
Minke Van Coller – Woorinen
17 & Under
Head coach: Mel Wait
Maddy Black – Cohuna Kangas
Charli Mon – Cohuna Kangas
Jamison Wise – Kerang
Montana Davies – Lake Boga
Brooke Pearson – Swan Hill
Jayda Plant – Tooleybuc-Manangatang
Olivia Fowler – Tooleybuc-Manangatang
Ava Crow – Woorinen
Willow Conlan
GOLDEN RIVERS
13 & Under
Head coach: Ashea Dwyer
Breeze Starr – Macorna
Abbey Wishart – Macorna
Cienna Cordwell – Macorna*
Bella Higgs – Macorna
Grace Antony – Moulamein *
Mila Grace Gray – Moulamein
Jazmyn Worboyes – Moulamein
Eve Murray – Murrabit
Imogen Collier – Murrabit*
Harper Bujdoso – Murrabit
Francesca Bray – Murrabit
Reve O’Toole – Ultima
Sophie Edwards – Wandella
15 & Under
Head Coach: Clare Modra
Poppy Barnes – Hay
Evie Mackenzie – Macorna
Georgie Neil – Macorna
Indi Crilly – Macorna
Georgia Carse – Murrabit
Lyla Morton – Murrabit
Sadie Spitty – Murrabit
Alexis McKnight – Murrabit
Scarlet Grey – Ultima
17 & Under
Head coach: Clare Modra
Sophie Jayne Tapper – Hay
Summer Starr – Macorna
Rosie Pearce – Macorna
Miley Anset – Macorna
Mia Bennett – Moulamein
Summag Turner – Murrabit
Belle Morton – Murrabit
Indi O’Brien – Ultima
Bainli Galway – Wandella
* – Emergencies
