New netball championships all the rage

More than 30 netball teams from around the Great Southern region will be in Albany this weekend for the inaugural Great Southern Championships.

Netball WA and the Albany Netball Association have joined forces for the championships, which consists of various age categories.

The event is expected to attract close to 800 people with 32 teams competing across eight divisions.

There will be juniors, seniors and masters divisions while a boys’ exhibition match will also be played.

Teams will travel from places such as Katanning, Kojonup, Narrogin, Ravensthorpe, Esperance and Denmark to face the hosts Albany.

Games are on tomorrow night and Saturday, with the finals on Sunday. The open women’s division one final will be played at 1pm on Sunday, followed by presentations.

The 17s, 12s, masters and open division two grand finals will all start at 11.40am.

The boys’ exhibition game will also be played on Sunday.

Netball WA Great Southern member services and development co-ordinator Kelly Dominiak said the championships promised to be a great weekend.

“Netball WA Great Southern Regional Office has been working collectively with the netball associations within the region for around 18 months to bring together our inaugural Great Southern Championships,” she said.

“We are very pleased with the outcome in getting 32 teams coming from Narrogin, Katanning, Kojonup, Ravensthorpe, Esperance, Denmark and Albany, allowing for the first time, a championships that will run both junior and senior divisions including a masters division and a 14-and-under boys’ exhibition match.

“By forming these championships, it aligns with the Netball WA competition framework and pathways and allows an opportunity for player, coach and umpire talent identification, coach and umpire mentoring and umpire badging.

“(It’s) an opportunity for each association to measure their pathway progressions against the other associations within the region.

“It is also a wonderful opportunity for all players and officials from across the region to come together and enjoy the experience and interact with like-minded people.”

Regular ANA competition will have a bye this weekend.