tournament. The team was Allira Hurst, Jacey Bruce, (assistant coach Bianka Jacobson) Lauren Urquhart, Olivia Zannes, Zoe Carter, Abby Carswell, Madasan Taylor, Hannah Carroll, Wilmein Kok (head coach Amie Hill) and Amber Byrne. ▪ Photo contributed
The Cobar 15 years representative netball team took part in one of the largest female sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere over the weekend at the Netball NSW State Age Championships.
The State Age carnival dates back to 1969 and the competition is so large now, that no single netball association has the court, venue space and facilities to host all four divisions and age groups by itself!
Therefore, multiple associations are used simultaneously to host the event.
The Cobar side played in Division 4 and contested 18 games over three days (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) at the Illawarra District Netball Association’s Fred Finch Park, Berkley.
Head coach Amie Hill said she was very proud of the efforts of the Cobar team.
“Day 3 was our most successful day and a massive improvement from first day.
“All players found their feet and played some amazing netball,” Hill said.
On Day 1 the side recorded a good 17-14 win over Inverell.
The team’s Players’ Player honour was shared between Hannah Carroll, Jasey Bruce and Olivia Zannes with the Coach’s Award going to Hannah Carroll.
On Day 2 Cobar had a big 20-9 win over Ulladulla & Districts and they won 14-11 over Narrabri.
They also beat Eurobodalla (who came 4th overall in their division) in the second half 7-6.
The team was unlucky to record a narrow 12-13 loss to Tumut.
On Day 2 Madasan Taylor collected the Players’ Player Award and the Coach’s Award went to Amber Byrne.
In their first game on Day 3, Cobar had a close match with Casino and narrowly lost 16-19. They then convincingly beat Mt Druitt 23-16 and had a narrow loss to Parkes going down 10-13.
The side then played one of their best games of the tournament to beat Condobolin 15-12.
“This is the team that beat us twice in Orange earlier in the year!” Hill said.
They finished the day on a high with an emphatic 15-4 win over Cowra.
Jasey Bruce was Day 3’s Players’ Player.
The Coach’s Award was shared by the team’s co-captains, Lauren Urquhart and Abby Carswell.
“The co-captains really stood up and lead by example,” Hill said.
The team was supported by assistant coach and primary care/first aid Bianka Jacobson, team manager Mary Urquhart and the girls’ parents over the three days of competition.
