Making big net gains
International teams coming back for more
DESPITE game play at the International Netball Festival wrapping up on the Gold Coast just yesterday, president Jane Rushton says several teams are already planning their return.
“People are already talking about coming back next year or going to our next festivals in New Zealand or Fiji,” Rushton said of the event that attracted 28 teams and 271 players.
“It’s been a fantastic carnival. We call it the extraordinary netball festival.”
After more than a week of action at Palm Beach, the Panthers won the under-13 division, Gold Coast’s Phoenix the under-15s and New Zealand’s Whanganui High School the under-18s.
“The New Zealand, Fiji and top Australian teams are very competitive,” Rushton said. “There’s some fantastic talent.
“There’s some amazing coaches out there bringing in some really strong teams.”
Games weren’t the only events on the calendar with teams participating in a Firebirds netball clinic, a trip to South Stradbroke Island and cultural performances.
“The Firebirds clinic is always a big hit,” Rushton said.
“They’re so amazing with the girls and they get so much out of it as do the coaches because they bring some amazing drills.
“It’s all about netball communities coming together and the culture.”
Rushton and her team are keen for more local clubs and representative teams to enter the ninth year of the festival in 2020.