Exciting pre-season carnival shapes up

AY C-FRIENDS Arrows, Cripps Waratah, Kingston Blues and St Lukes Health Karana will fight it out against the state under-17 and under-19 teams in the southern State League netball pre-season carnival tomorrow.

With the withdrawal of Burnie Tigers and OHA, the season is shaping up to be well contested. The reintroduction of a pre-season carnival gives all clubs an opportunity to have a hitout before the season proper starts on March 30.

Arrows will no doubt be out for revenge after last year’s grand final loss to Northern Hawks and look to have retained a key group of players this year. A largely unchanged Kingston will be looking to continue their finals appearances of the past few years, while new look Cripps and St Lukes Health teams will be hoping to return to finals.

This weekend’s inclusion to the state underage teams ahead of their upcoming national carnivals is a welcome addition for the coaches who believe the experience will be invaluable.

Under-19s coach Lou Carter is looking forward to the opportunity to simulate a day at nationals.

“Under-19s will be competing in the Opens competition which we will allow us to experiment with combinations and experience a more physical environment,” Carter said.

Dannie Carstens of the under-17s said: “It provides a platform to get our processes and systems, both on and off court, as polished as they can be before nationals.”

Matches will start at 10am and conclude at 4pm at Hobart Netball and Sports Centre.

Entry is free.