Northern Tasmanian Netball Association operations manager Rick Sargent declared the growth of the sport on Launceston courts is heading for a boom period.
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His sweeping statement of high numbers resonated at the NTNA junior grand finals at Hobblers Bridge.
The association that caters for 10-17 year-olds hosted 15 grand finals, including four in the under-11 age group and nearly every year represented with multiple divisions.
“There’s been an increase in numbers for the last three years,” Sargent said. “It’s about 100 juniors each year we’ve increased by.
“A lot of this is through the younger age groups with our NetSetGo and 11-and-under teams, which is great because that bodes well for the older age groups and the clubs as they progress through.”
Sargent said rising junior registrations coincided with Australia’s World Cup win in Sydney.
The excitement for netball transcended in a series of thrilling Saturday deciders.
Tamar Jets inflicted a shock 37-32 loss on the previously undefeated Western Storm in the 16-and-under division 1 grand final.
Two other games were all tied up at the final whistle and forced into extra-time.
Generation Green scored an eventual 32-30 win over Gee Tee Tigers, while Gees Tees Glory finished 24-23 ahead of Esk Stars.
“We’ve just seen some good, hard netball that was produced by our junior players,” Sargent said.
- 11&U Dev: Gee Tees Stars 15 d Western Storm 9 (MVP: Chloe Cunningham)
- 11&U Div 1: Amazonz Red 19 d Gee Tees Jet Stars 18 (MVP: Eva Hunter)
- 11&U Div 2: Gee Tees Glory 24 d Esk Stars 23 (MVP: Stephanie Wilks)
- 11&U Div 3: Deloraine Devils 12 d George Town 10 (MVP: Sophie Coates)
- 12&U: Generation 17 d George Town 14 (MVP: Matilda Lenthall)
- 13&U Div 1: Generation Green 32 d Gee Tees Tigers 30 (MVP: Lily Redburn)
- 13&U Div 2: Islanders 28 d Generation 20 (MVP: Zoe Bourne)
- 14&U Div 1: Generation 28 d Amazonz Aqua 17 (MVP: Sam Woodland)
- 14&U Div 2: Amazonz Black 27 d Gee Tees Diamonds 22 (MVP: Zeta Edmondson)
- 15&U Div 1: Generation Green 47 d Clovers 39 (MVP: Danielle Laugher)
- 15&U Div 2: Western Storm 57 d Generation 25 (MVP: Kahila Monk-Morcom)
- 16&U Div 1: Tamar Jets 37 d Western Storm 32 (MVP: Hayley Older)
- 16&U Div 2: Gee Tees Hot Shots 42 d Amazonz Red 37 (MVP: Makaylah Chiara)
- 17&U Div 1: Gee Tees Gems 58 d Generation 40 (MVP: Sarah Woodberry)
- 17&U Div 2: George Town 43 d Generation 31 (MVP: Danielle McLean)
There’s been an increase in numbers for the last three years. It’s about 100 juniors per year
- NTNA operations manager Rick Sargent
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
