Representing the Sapphire Coast at two tournaments the top players from the local area were up against some tough competition. 

The junior teams pushed through wet conditions at the Shoal Haven Netball Carnival. 

The Under 12s played seven games, coming away with two wins and five losses. Coach Michelle Kelly said she used the carnival to try out different combinations. 

“The girls showed so much heart and put up a fight right to the very end,” Kelly said. “I could not be more proud of their determination and positive spirit”

Kelly congratulated the defensive efforts of the whole team.

“In the circle Aalyiah Kelly, Mia Waugh and Carly Van Bracht put skills learnt at training into action and reaped the rewards of many intercepts.”

The under 13s also had a tough carnival once again only coming away with two wins and four losses. Coach Kaylie Mitchell said the highlight of the day was the first game against Kiama. 

“It was a close game and the girls had a three goal lead at halftime. Kiama started to come back but the girls held strong and won 9-8,” Mitchell said. “The team performed extremely well considering the tough competition they were up against and were unlucky not to walk away with a couple more wins.”

The under 15's only played four games as two teams pulled out due to the wet weather. Coach Janet Kiely said the girls played really well despite not coming out with a win. 

“I was very happy with their performance. Our shooters were accurate all day. We still need work all over the court but we will get there with some hard training and dedication.” 

The Sapphire Coast under 17s and Opens teams hit the road to Young. 

Player-coach of the Opens and coach of the 17s Tyjana Blacka said the first game was an epic battle between the two teams. 

“The 17s managed to use there speed to just get one up on the opens,” Blacka said. “But the intensity of the game left the 17s a bit shell-shocked for the rest of the day, they managed a win over Narrandera 17s but struggled against Young opens.” 

When it came to the second round, Sapphire Coast opens were much too strong for the 17s. But Blacka said she was extremely proud of how the 17s kept up with the Opens teams. 

The Sapphire Coast Opens went away having never taken the court together yet managed to finish the carnival in second place.

​”They had a tough start while combinations clicked and connected, but once they started to work they played some really beautiful netball. We got stronger after every game.”