Women’s sport in new territory
If you’ve been watching the Suncorp Super Netball this season, I can imagine you’ve been more than ready for Wimmera Netball Association to get underway? Am I right? Oh, and what about the added buzz around the Women’s Big Bash cricket and AFLW football?
I’m glad we agreed on that. Hasn’t the vibe, exposure and interest grown around women’s sport?
It’s interesting with this explosion into the mainstream that, all of a sudden, there’s a whole new ball game for young girls all across our great country to feel socially included with different opportunities and pathways for participation in sport, promoting healthy bodies and minds.
Wimmera Netball Association’s staggered round one has created much excitement across the region as teams switch themselves out of preseason preparations and signal intentions early in season 2017.
Reigning premiers Horsham Demons will be keen to start their title defence, but last year’s runner-up Minyip-murtoa will be nipping closely at their heels.
Warrack Eagles welcome back some premiership queens who have plenty of experience in winning the big ones and will look to establish some solid connections early. But we all know premierships are not won in April.
Minyip-murtoa will start its campaign on home soil, and welcomes an encounter with freshfaced Nhill Tigers.
Word on the street is the Tigers have had plenty of numbers, new and old on the track through pre-season, and under the guidance of their coach Tarrah Dodd will be keen to cause a stir against the highly fancied Burras.
The Burras have retained the majority of their 2016 squad and will hope to impress spectators from the first whistle.
Dimboola Roos will host the neighbourly battle of the ‘Borung’ as they open the gates to the travelling Warrack Eagles.
With both sides listing new inclusions, you can be sure coach Ant Toet’s Roos will be well drilled and skilled. For the joint Warrack Eagles co-coaching department of Jane Richardson and Sarah Spicer, the luxury return of some experienced players should allow them to reconnect early for a tough opening encounter for both sides.
Cross-town rivals Horsham Demons and Horsham Saints will again have the honour of battling each other on Anzac Day. With the Demons keen to stamp their authority early, the Saints will be planning to execute their own style to hold up the always fast-running Demons.
In results so far, Good Friday’s exciting clash saw a fresh-faced Ararat leap out of the blocks to claim early bragging rights against old arch rival Stawell.
Ararat’s experienced Rebecca Skrabl caused her usual headaches in defence early, while for Stawell, Ebony Summers was a great contributor for the Warriors at both ends.