Close but no prize as injuries take toll

SOUTH Cairns will take honourable losses at this point in the Cairns Netball Association season.

The Cutters are near the foot of the table with five rounds to play before finals after battling a heavy injury toll in 2017.

They led for most of third quarter but fell away in the final term on Friday night against Sharks, going down by two goals, 34-32.

“We are struggling with numbers a bit after multiple injuries this year,” Cutters coach Stacey Hart said.

“Besides the loss, it was a really good game for us, it was really good to see our girls come together well as a team.

“Tracey Richardson, our goal shooter, had a really good game while Joanne Parker, who stepped up from reserve grade, had a blinder for us.

“Joanne had a couple of intercepts and shut down their shooters, she rattled them a bit.”

In other week nine games on Friday night, Leprechauns took it right up to the undefeated Cairns Saints but fell short, 39-33.

There is no rest for CNA players with week 10 games to be played this evening.

After having the bye on Friday night, CTB Bulldogs face Leprechauns in the early game before Sharks try and give Saints their first loss of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Australia’s largest Beach Netball Festival is coming to Cairns.

Teams from all around Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia are set to converge on the redeveloped Cairns Esplanade for the annual social participation event on November 18-19.

All teams will compete in a one-day round-robin tournament, including finals, with the seniors on Saturday playing for the giant cheque and James Cook University Cup, and the juniors round-robin event happening on Sunday.

“We have seen phenomenal interest and growth in the festivals all over Australia and we’re so excited to bring Beach Netball to Cairns,” event director Shane Purss said.

“We anticipate this year’s event will sell out, so encourage all teams to get in early and secure their entry.”

Team registrations open on August 1 with limited availability for both junior and senior divisions.

Sunshine Coast Lightning inaugural Super Netball Championship player Kelsey Browne is a Beach Netball Ambassador and believes Far North Queensland and Beach Netball are a match made in heaven.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the city was perfectly positioned to capture the market in sports events tourism and Beach Netball was an ideal event to showcase the redeveloped Cairns Esplanade sports precinct.

“Each time these major events visit our city, they bring with them a new demographic of visitor and showcase a different side to the region,” Manning said.

“While we’re famous for our reef, rainforest and stunning weather, events like this showcase the infinite other attractions and options for visitors to enjoy.”

For information and to register, visit beachnetball.com.au