Twilight netball reaches new heights
The 2019/20 Warragul and District Netball Association twilight competition has reached new heights with 95 teams registered and over 800 players involved.
The competition caters for all age groups from Net-Set-Go through to Open Female and Open Mixed grades.
All 10 courts of the Burke Street complex are full across five timeslots, creating fantastic atmosphere for players and supporters. Spectators are welcome to come down to the courts on Monday evenings, grab a coffee and a snack from the WDNA canteen and experience the competition first-hand.
Competition Times:
4.00pm 5-7 NetSetGo/8-10 NetSetGo/11 and Under (Mixed).
4.55pm 13 and Under (Mixed) division one/13 and Under (Mixed) division two/17 and Under (Female).
5.50pm 15 and Under (Mixed) division one/15 and Under (Mixed) division two.
6.45pm Open division one/Open division three.
7.40pm Open division two/Open Mixed. A new approach to marketing this competition has paid dividends with a record number of teams entered across all age groups. The Open division alone has 28 teams, covering areas Yarragon to Garfield and Ellinbank to Neerim South.
The 5-7 NetSetGo program has also reached record numbers, with 30 girls and boys registered. NetSetGo is Australia’s official starter program for girls and boys.
WDNA NetSetGo coordinator Vanessa Barry said, “it’s a great opportunity to learn the netball basics, get outside and make some friends, while having a lot of fun.”
Each team is required to supply their own umpire. With over 45 plus games played each Monday evening umpire resources are stretched. More than 70 umpires are required each Monday, who come are under the watchful eye of WDNA’s umpire coordinator Sophie Cook.
The association is also focussed on increasing the number of badged umpires, with a trainee umpire program proving a hit under the guidance of Sophie. Over the winter competition, four association umpires achieved their National C badge under Sophie’s mentorship.
WDNA is governed by an executive committee led by president Karen Romano. The committee of volunteers includes Lyn Versteden Kasey Dalton (treasurer), Karen Dellar (secretary), Rob Birks (registration/score secretary), Vanessa Barry (NetSetGo co-ordinator), Bek McLean (website/social media editor), Sophie Cook (umpire co-ordinator) and Mel Young (canteen coordinator).
With many members of this team involved in these leadership positions for multiple terms, the association’s twilight competition has been managed extremely well.
The Burke Street Netball Complex has recently had a facelift, with new post padding jointly funded by a Baw Baw Shire Community
Development Grant and a sponsorship arrangement with local franchise owners Michael and Felicity Wilson.
Goal posts were also recently replaced via funding supplied by the Baw Baw Shire Council.
President Karen Romano said, “these are exciting times for our netball community with massive growth, increased competition, great facilities and a family friendly atmosphere”.
To contact WDNA, visit wdna.org.au or contact WDNA president Karen Romano on 0417 524 916.