Netball: Young representative players do themselves proud
The Golden Bay Under-13 Netball reps have done themselves proud, according to their selector/coach Keri Brownlie.
The team’s representative fixture list consisted of two tournaments – the Nelson regional one involving Nelson, Marlborough, Motueka and Golden Bay, and the annual fixture between Motueka and Golden Bay.
“The girls played so well. I was really proud of them,” says Keri. “They didn’t win but they adapted really quickly to the faster and rougher style of netball that’s played outside the Bay. They were never intimidated by their opposition, who were usually bigger, and they learnt so much about the game. They’re a great lot of girls and they’ll all be better players next year, and in the years to come, because of the experience they’ve gained.”
Keri said that the team’s parents and supporters were “heroic” too.
“You just can’t do it over here without that support from home” says Keri. “Collingwood and Takaka players and their families have to make a serious commitment to make the reps. For these girls – one in year 7 and the rest in year 8 – it meant extra trainings and playing their rep games on a Sunday. On top of their usual club commitments, that’s a lot.”
Neil Wilson
