News

Australia Rebounds (July 25)
After a comprehensive loss in the first test on the weekend, Australia levelled the netball test series last night in the final game at the Acer Arena in Sydney with a 48-38 victory over New Zealand.
The turn-around came fromin rebounds (reclaiming control of the ball after an unsuccessful shot for goal), accuracy (ratio of successful to unsuccessful shots for goal) and control of the ball through the court. 
Australian shooter Susan Pratley Susan Pratley earned the player-of-the-match award with energetic court play and contributing 19 goals before she went to the bench after the third quarter. According to Australian Coach, Norma Plummer on an ABC TV interview after the match Pratley asked to come off the court, as she was “stuffed”.
Australian co-captain Liz Ellis was thrilled with the win. "I'm so happy with this team. We were flogged on Saturday night, we went 12 goals down [and] I guess a lot of people had written us off. But we talked a lot in the last few days about playing netball the Australian way and I think we returned to that tonight and it was good to see."
Solid players for NZ on Saturday night, were goal keeper Davu and shooter van Dyk -- the latter recorded 15 goals from 19 attempts.
By Chris Callanan
See full report from the ABC Netball site

Australians bow to Silver Ferns (July 24)
New Zealand has continued its recent dominance over Australia winning the first match of the Holden Test Series in Brisbane on Saturday night 52-40.
Despite the return from injury of Liz Ellis and Mo’onia Gerrard, Australia was outclassed in a very physical match by the sharp shooting of Maria Tutaia and Irene van Dyk.
Trailing 31-17 at half time, Australia fought valiantly to peg the visitors back to within seven points at the start of the final quarter, before New Zealand again flexed their muscle to shut down the Australian midcourt flow.
Australian co-captain Liz Ellis was disappointed with the result but pleased with Australia’s second half comeback. “We probably let it blow out a bit too much in the second quarter but to our credit we came back well in the second half,” she said after the match.
Australia has a chance to even the series in Sydney on Tuesday night.
By Merrin Hughes
Full report from Netball Australia

Embarrassment for Aussie Netball? (July 24)
Last night’s netball test match between Australia and New Zealand saw a significant lack of support from the Australian side within the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
“The Australians were embarrassed at the high level of support for New Zealand and sent out an SOS for more Australian fans to attend the test,” reported Greg Tourelle of Stuff.co.nz.
The upcoming match in Sydney tonight has sold 10,000 tickets out of the 17,000 Acer Arena capacity. 
The Australian officials expressed “surprise” to the turnout of New Zealand supporters in Brisbane to the Sydney Morning Herald.
By Nicole Chiu
Full article at Stuff.Co.Nz; Report from Sydney Morning Herald

NZ fights hard, but Australia wins U21 (July 24)
Australia was victorious with a win of 47 to 28 in the 21 and Under Test series against New Zealand at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday 22 July.
The Kiwis began well with goalers Jessica Tuki and Paula Griffin combining to score a two-goal lead. Perth Orioles duo Caitlin Bassett and Kate Beveridge used their height difference and scored a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter.
By halftime New Zealand closed the gap to nine despite the efforts of Australia’s Julie Prendergast and Laura Geitz.
Australia’s captain Julie Prendergast told Netball Australia she was pleased with how her team had maintained control right from the early stages of the match.
“That’s exactly what we talked about before the game, controlling our warm up and controlling the game and I think we did that,’’ she said.
By Ellen Fish
Netball Australia

Plummer suspects leak (July 24)
Australian netball coach Norma Plummer has accused the Australian Institute of Sport of leaking secrets about its top players to the Silver Ferns.
Plummer’s latest outburst followed the Australian netball team’s loss to the Kiwis in the first match of the Holden Test Series last Saturday night.
According to Plummer, New Zealand-born PhD students who studied at the AIS several years ago are responsible for the leak. She told The Age newspaper today, “We didn’t hand that out to anyone… somebody has handpassed it on. They’ve capitalised and we’ve been a bit slow on that.”
Plummer began as coach in 2003 and since then Australia has lost nine of the last eleven clashes against New Zealand. Plummer will put her reputation on the line once again when Australia take on the Silver Ferns tonight as part of the Holden Netball Test Series.
By Kate Hanlon & Melissa Chrys
The Age home; Report; Herald Sun home; Report from March

Plus…
The Australian netball team is looking to regroup today in preparation for the second game of the Holden Test series in the wake of their defeat by New Zealand last Friday amidst speculation of morale problems within the team.
Co-Captain Liz Ellis has been vocal in denying accusations of in-fighting that was believed to have stemmed from Norma Plummer’s confrontational and straight-talking coaching style.
Ellis told the New Zealand Herald that Plummer just expects a lot from her players: "She is certainly someone who takes a bit of getting used to as a coach if you are not used to someone being so straightforward with you."
Plummer believes the team is capable of pulling it together for tonight’s re-match but says it will require a back-to-basics approach and a relaxation of the anxieties that have been plaguing the team.
By Edwina Ryan

Oz netballers avenge 2005 defeat (July 21)
Australia’s 21 and under team has avenged last year’s semi-final defeat at the World Youth Championships by defeating New Zealand’s under-21s in the first of a two-test series in Brisbane.
The Australians gave coach Lisa Alexander a perfect start with a 48-36 win over their great rivals in front of a strong crowd at the Insports Cornubia centre in Brisbane’s south.
Source & full story: Netball Australia

Netball flourishes in the Caymans (July 12)
Just to show that netball is developing true international appeal, the Cayman Net News website tells us: “In excess of 500 people play netball in the Cayman Islands, making it the number one women's sport. In the schools, netball also ranks number one amongst female sports in terms of playing numbers. National Tournaments and National Leagues feature regularly on Cayman Islands' annual Netball programme. In excess of 500 people play netball in the Cayman Islands, making it the number one women's sport. In the schools, netball also ranks number one amongst female sports in terms of playing numbers. National Tournaments and National Leagues feature regularly on Cayman Islands' annual Netball programme.”
Full story

ETSA to host regional netball champs (July 11)
SA netball’s be active Regional Championships will descend on ETSA Park this week and chances are the next generation of the game’s stars will be quickly identified.
The championships will be played on July 12 and 13.
Some of the big names to emerge from past championships include Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds goalie Natalie Medhurst and current McDonald’s Hunter Jaegers captain and Australian player Jane Altschwager. The most recent talent to emerge from the event is Emily Beaton, who is currently playing with the AIS in Canberra.
Netball SA coach and Junior Development Manager Jodie Freund says the championships have quickly established themselves as the premier event for young regional talent. Jodie says this is the sixth championship she has organised and the strength of country netball is seen today with six of the eight regions running their own development academies. She says each region will send teams for 17 and Under, 15 and Under and 13 and Under with up to 12 players in each team.
“Eyre, Lower North, Mt Lofty, Murray, South East, Southern, Northern and Spencer all have academies now and we are hopeful Northern and Spencer will also have theirs up and running by next year,” Jodie says.
“Those regions with an academy select players from their squads so they have been in training since March this year, which will ensure a very high quality of competition,” she says.
Source: Netball SA

Netball UK Challenge Cup finals (July 5)
Despite soaring temperatures, six teams from around the country maintained their cool to qualify for the finals of the 2006 Netball UK Challenge Cup Competition.
In the Cup itself, reigning National Clubs League division one champions Linden set up a mouthwatering final against former champions Hucclecote, after crushing Kent side Comets 73-20. Hucclecote qualified for the final after a nailbiting 36-34 win over Essex Open. In the plate semi finals, Purley Netball Club beat Carole Anne NC`s first team 77-40. However, Cobham failed to make it an all-Surrey final, after a 36-22 loss to Imagine8 from Warrington.
Wiltshire`s Pinehurst cruised into the final of the shield competition with a 39-22 win over Applemore. Meanwhile, their opponents in the final, Halton from Runcorn, had a weekend away from competition, after being given a walkover into the final by Swan Centre NC.
All three play offs for the inaugural Netball UK Challenge Cup finals will take off at Bath University`s Sports Village on 15 July 2006 from 11am. Netball UK is one of the country`s leading suppliers of netball clothing, shoes and supplies, online at www.netballuk.co.uk
Source: England Netball

Seven new faces in Australian team (July 3)
The Australian 21 and Under Netball Team to take on New Zealand in a two match series later this month was announced today after a gruelling weekend training camp at the AIS in Canberra.
The team consists of seven new faces from the side that last met New Zealand at the 2005 World Youth Cup in Florida, USA.
Victorian Julie Prendergast will again lead the team as Captain, continuing in her role from last year. Joining her as first time Vice Captain will be Kimberlee Green.
“Both women are experienced international campaigners and have significant court time with their respective Commonwealth Bank Trophy teams, said Head Coach Lisa Alexander. They also show great leadership both on and off the court,”
Alexander, who is confident of her team’s success in Brisbane, makes her international coaching debut for the Team against current World Number One side, New Zealand.
“I feel very excited about the strength of the team,” said Alexander. “They are very powerful and mentally tough and I believe they will rise to the challenge.”
Australian 21U Team Caitlin Bassett, Perth Orioles Kate Beveridge, Perth Orioles Johannah Curran, Melbourne First National Phoenix Laura Geitz (subject to fitness), AIS Canberra Darters Kimberlee Green – (Vice Captain), Sydney TAB Swifts Renae Hallinan, Melbourne First National Phoenix Clare McMeniman, AIS Canberra Darters Julie Prendergast – (Captain), Melbourne First National Phoenix Nikala Smith, AIS Canberra Darters Joanne Sutton, Sydney TAB Swifts Caitlin Thwaites, Allied Pickfords Melbourne Kestrels Vanessa Ware, Sydney TAB Swifts
Queensland will witness two of their own on centre court during the series as defenders Clare McMeniman and Laura Geitz return to represent their country in the highly anticipated clash.
Geitz, who was named subject to fitness, will have two weeks to recover from her shin injury before a final decision will be made on her fitness on Friday July 14, two days before the team departs for Brisbane.
The Australian 21U Team will match up in Brisbane against the New Zealand 21U Team on Thursday July 20 and as the opener for the Holden Netball Test Series on Saturday July 22.
Source: Netball Australia

Back-to-back titles for Magic (July 2)
From Netball NZ: The Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic supported by Sleepyhead created a little slice of history when they powered to a second straight National Bank Cup netball title at Mystery Creek, in Hamilton tonight.
In the first final to be held in the North Island, the youthful Magic ended the aspirations of the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Sting’s seasoned campaigners with a comprehensive 67-43 win.
In front of a record National Bank Cup crowd of 5000, the Magic enjoyed the special moment of back-to-back titles in front of their home fans after missing out on the right to host last year’s final.
After a relatively even first half, the Magic exploded into life in the second half to outscore the Sting by more than two goals to one when they raced away with the half 35-16.
The Magic stood out as the better team through all areas of the court with the last line of defence, Casey Williams being the individual standout. The long-limbed defender was instrumental in gaining a string of intercepts for the Magic and keeping her team on the front foot early on.
Williams was well backed up by her team-mates, who overall were more effective on attack and damaging on defence than the Sting, who were appearing in their ninth successive final.
``It’s a lot sweeter beating them at home and it feels even better than last year,’’ Williams said. ``It’s great winning two in a row and this great record we have against the Sting now if we can keep building on it, that will be even better.’’
Netball Australia report (Click the pic to see the Magic's website.)

Difficult selections ahead for 21s (June 30)
From Netball Australia: The Australian Netball Team and Australian 21U Squad will both head to the AIS in Canberra tomorrow morning for their final two-day training camp before the Holden Netball Test Series tour commences next month.
For the Australian 21U Squad, this will their last opportunity to impress the selectors as the team of 12 to tour to Brisbane will be named at 2pm (AEST) on Sunday July 2.
Lisa Alexander, National 21U Coach said, “It is going to be a very difficult selection this weekend because we have issues with injury among the squad. I will have to make the decision on whether I select players under an injury cloud in hope they recover in time for the matches.”
“Selection for this team started in January and it has been a long process that culminates this weekend. The match play at camp against the open team will show us the players’ ability to perform under pressure in possible combinations to be used for the matches against New Zealand.”
“There are also a lot of talented young women competing for the same positions and some hard decisions will need to be made.”
More from Netball Australia

Netball test on TV (June 28)
The two-match Holden Netball Test Series will be broadcast nationally on ABC TV. Full replays of each match will be shown at the following times:
Test One (Brisbane Entertainment Centre) - Saturday, July 22 at 10.35pm
Test Two (Acer Arena, Sydney) - Tuesday, July 25 at 11.10pm
The Australian Netball Team is set to seek revenge on the New Zealand Silver Ferns and determined to record a win as the two teams battle it out in the much-anticipated Trans-Tasman showdown.
Led for the first time by two captains, Sharelle McMahon and Liz Ellis, the Australian Team are planning retaliation after their five-goal loss at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne earlier this year.
Ellis, who is returning after recovering from a knee reconstruction says, “There is nothing I enjoy more than playing for my country against the Silver Ferns.”
Also in the squad are sisters Laura and Natalie von Bertouch, who play for the Adelaide Thunderbirds and have been teammates for 10 years. This is Laura’s debut in the Australian Team.
The Silver Ferns, led by Adine Wilson are in fine form and are confident of recording another win. They have won eight of the last ten matches against Australia.
Tests between the two nations began in Melbourne in 1938. There have been 77 matches, with Australia winning 45, New Zealand 30 and two draws. (ABC)

Fiery match for Geelong (June 21)
After clinching a top four spot with a thrilling netball victory over the Perth Orioles last week, the Star Systems Queensland Firebirds are now focused on taking on reigning premiers Melbourne First National Phoenix at Geelong Arena on Sunday June 25 at 1.00pm.
“We have celebrated our fourth position at the end of the first round, but it is really important that now we are ready to consolidate our potential as a finalist team. We will not make the mistake of taking our eye of the ultimate goal of playing in the 2006 finals series, and so this match is vital,” says Firebirds’ coach Vicki Wilson.
Phoenix are currently running third on the CBT competition ladder and will not have forgotten that the Firebirds led by four goals at half time in their round one meeting.
“We are not intimidated by any team and we know that if we play to our potential that we can win on Sunday,” says Peta Stephens, Firebirds captain. “Every game we play gets us closer to those finals and so in every game we aim to play as winners.”
Phoenix’s Australian shooters Sharelle McMahon and Cynna Kydd will again be the stalwarts for Phoenix, but Firebirds defensive pair of Peta Stephens and Mel McKenzie has been in outstanding form, taming opposition shooters with tight and aggressive defence.
Queensland has alternated Jo Morgan and Carla Dziwoki during the first round of competition and both have maintained an accuracy rate of over 80 per cent in every game, giving the Firebirds a solid scoring base.
“This will be a close game. We both have strong shooters and keen defenders, so I think possession in the mid court will be a deciding factor in victory,” adds Stephens. (Netball Qld)

Do Kiwis report better? (June 15)
The Sydney Morning Herald recently ran a column by netballer Liz Ellis, which says women’s sport gets better coverage across the Tasman. She writes: “Where have all the sportswomen gone? Well, nowhere really. We're still slogging it out on fields, pitches and courts all over the country -- all over the world, for that matter. It's just we're largely invisible.”
SMH article; Liz Ellis website

Co-Captains to lead Australia in tests (June 13)
In a first for Australian Netball, selectors have chosen co-captains for the battle against New Zealand in July, with Commonwealth Games captain Sharelle McMahon and former captain Liz Ellis joining forces to lead Australia’s attack against their trans-Tasman rivals.
“They are both such great quality leaders with extensive experience representing Australia,” said National Coach Norma Plummer. “I see this as having a great leader at each end of the court.”
”Sharelle did an excellent job during the Commonwealth Games and Liz did a great job before that and we believe that both players deserve this honour. The two have a great working relationship and have lead the team together as captain and vice captain since 2004,” continued Plummer.
Making her Australian Netball Team debut is midcourter Laura von Bertouch, older sister to seasoned Australian representative Natalie von Bertouch. The two sisters have played together for over ten years and their on court combination is set to rival the experienced line up of New Zealand.
“They have a fantastic combination and Laura has certainly earned her position on the team with her outstanding performances,” said Plummer. “Laura took a while to settle into the squad and learning to work well with the other club players. Being in the squad of 15 for the Commonwealth Games was great for Laura, she is now taking the initiative and dictating on the court.”
Bianca Chatfield - (Melbourne First National Phoenix) Catherine Cox - (Sydney TAB Swifts) Liz Ellis - (Sydney TAB Swifts) Susan Fuhrmann - (AIS Canberra Darters) Mo’onia Gerrard - (Sydney TAB Swifts) Selina Gilsenan - (Sydney TAB Swifts) Kristen Heinrich - (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds) Sharelle McMahon - (Melbourne First National Phoenix) Susan Pratley - (Sydney TAB Swifts) Jessica Shynn - (Perth Orioles) Laura von Bertouch - (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds) Natalie von Bertouch - (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Australia will take on the New Zealand Silver Ferns in the Holden Netball Test Series in Australia this July. The Brisbane Entertainment Centre will host test one on July 22 and July 25, Sydney’s Acer Arena will host test two. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek.
Source: Netball Australia

Firebirds impressing Ausralian selectors (June 9)
From Netball Queensland: As well as having a successful season on court in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy the Star Systems Queensland Firebirds are having success with the Australian selectors.
Keirra Trompf and Lauren Nourse have been singled out and have been invited into Australian Netball Squad training camps.
Keirra Trompf has been invited to participate in the Australian 21 and Under Squad camp and Lauren Nourse has been invited to the Australian Open Squad camp as a 2006 emerging talent squad member in Canberra, with both camps being held from Saturday June 10-Monday June 12.
Lisa Alexander the Australian 21 and Under Coach said having Keirra at the training camp will enable her to assess Trompf’s performance in comparison to the current squad members.
“Her performance in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy is what got my attention,” said Alexander.
“Keirra has held down the wing defence position consistently and has been putting in good performances there. She also has the height and strength we are looking for in athletes.”
“Keirra is a wonderful person. She is excited to be coming into the camp and desperately wants to be there too, which is great.”
Full story

Swifts remain dominant (June 3)
From Netball Australia: The Canberra Darters are still yet to win a game in 2006, after losing to 2005 runners up, the Sydney Swifts, by 22 goals at AIS Arena in Canberra.
Both teams had difficulty sinking their shots in the early stages of the first quarter. The Darters pulled out to an early lead, due to strong rebounding, but the Sydney-siders started to show their dominance. The battle between Mo’onia Gerrard and Nikala Smith put some fire into the game, as both looked to assert their dominance. Smith’s long shots kept the crowd enthusiastic, but at the other end of the court, Susan Pratley was in superb form, outplaying her opponent, Australian teammate Susan Fuhrmann.
More

Netball comp wrap—up (May 29)
A disciplined Sydney TAB Swifts outfit defeated reigning premiers Melbourne First National Phoenix by 13 goals on Sunday afternoon at Vodafone Arena.
Phoenix suffered their second consecutive loss as they struggled for attacking options against a tight Swifts defence, going down 53-40.
The steel like combination of Catherine Cox and Susan Pratley enabled the Swifts to blow out the match in the final quarter, showing up the Phoenix attack who were inaccurate under pressure.
Australian captain Sharelle McMahon shot two from six in the third quarter, shooting 73 percent for the match. She was taken from the court with 30 seconds left in match with an ankle "tweak".

Plus…
In a dramatic turn around of form, Allied Pickfords Melbourne Kestrels claimed their first win for the season against McDonalds t Jaegers in front of more than 4000 at Vodafone Arena.
Kestrels blew the Jaegers out of the water, leading with 7 goals at quarter time and finishing with a confidence boosting 20 goal win. The final score was 61-41, and was Kestrels' best ever result against the Newcastle team.
The Kestrels showed great confidence overhead, combining well in the midcourt to ensure a ready supply to shooters Andrea Booth and Caitlin Thwaites.
In a physical battle with Jaegers GK, Emma Koster, Thwaites came out on top shooting 41 goals at 89 percent. ane Altscwager contributed 36 goals for Jaegers at 82 percent.

Plus…
The Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds scored a blazing 56 goals to 44 win over the Star Systems Queensland Firebirds in Round Four of the Commonwealth Bank Trophy at the Chandler Arena on Friday night. The fastest team in the competition showed no signs of slowing as they continued their winning form after last week’s thrilling one-goal win over reigning premiers Melbourne First National Phoenix. But it was far from a one-sided affair, with a focused Firebirds falling just short of their opposition’s performance in the final quarter to hand them victory. The match’s most valuable player was the Thunderbird’s Wing Defence Peta Scholz. Source: Netball Australia

UK netball squad named (May 28)
England Netball’s selectors have made changes to the National squad for 2006-7 with the addition of a new name in the shooting circle, as the squad starts preparations for the 2007 World Championships in Fiji.
21 year old veterinary student and former U21 international Josie Leutton is called up to the National squad for the first time, after impressing with some excellent performances for Brunel Hurricanes in the figleaves.com Netball Superleague. 6ft 1” Leutton has shouldered the majority of the shooting burden for her side since the retirement of Abby Teare, and scored 23 of Hurricanes’ 26 goals in their play off loss to Mavericks last weekend.
Also named in the squad are TeamBath’s Tamsin Greenway, who was not originally selected for the 2005-6 squad, and Northern Thunder’s Tracey Neville, who missed most of last season with a knee injury.
The full list of players, with their figleaves.com Netball Superleague teams, is as follows:
Olivia Murphy (capt), Ama Agbeze, Karen Atkinson, Jade Clarke (all Loughborough Lightning), Louisa Brownfield, Naomi Stenhouse, Amanda Newton (all Mavericks), Jo Binns, Pamela Cookey, Rachel Dunn, Claire Elsley, Tamsin Greenway, Geva Mentor (all TeamBath), Chioma Ezeogu, Naida Hutchinson, Josie Leutton, Sonia Mkoloma (all Brunel Hurricanes), Karen Greig, Tracey Neville (both Northern Thunder)
“Selection for our national squad has never been more difficult,” commented national Coach Marg Caldow, “with so many players giving stand out performances in the figleaves.com Netball Superleague. The National squad performed very well to achieve bronze in Melbourne, and we are now looking to build on this success and move forwards at the World Championships next July.
Source: Netball Australia

Netball CEO resigns (May 27)
Noeleen Dix, President of Netball Australia has today announced that she has with regret accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer, Lindsay Cane.
Cane joined Netball Australia in November 2003 and in the two and a half years of her employment has contributed greatly to the Association in all areas of the business.

Orioles grab 2nd netball round (May 15)
In a thrilling display of fast and disciplined teamwork, a confident Perth Orioles ran out convincing and deserving winners over Allied Pickford Melbourne Kestrels at Challenge Stadium last night with a final score of 59 to 53.
Perth Orioles raced away to an early lead in the first quarter, with dynamic teamwork and lightning passes into their attacking zone. Melbourne Kestrels appeared shell shocked by their opponents attacking play and had no answer to the Orioles run on goal. With the massive height advantage of Orioles’ shooters Caitlin Bassett and Kate Beveridge, and pin point feeding by Stacey Rosman and Jessica Shynn, Kestrels struggled to stay in touch until several wild Orioles’ passes into attack and missed opportunities in goal allowed Kestrels to settle and steady teamwork in goal by Bianca Franklin and Caitlin Thwaites saw the Kestrels level the scores for a score-line of 16 each at quarter time.
The second quarter was a much more evenly contested match, with neither team appearing to take the advantage. Although Kestrels took a narrow one goal lead into the long break, it was not a convincing lead. Kestrels 31 led Orioles 30.
The third quarter brought several changes from the Kestrels’ bench, with Andrea Booth taking the court at GA in an attempt to gain greater mobility in the Kestrel attacking zone. Perth Orioles however regained their earlier dominance and with their defenders, Beckett and Willcox repelling numerous Kestrels forays into attack, and lightning passes into the Orioles shooters, the home team thrilled their fans by taking a seven goal lead into the third quarter. Scores at three quarter time, Perth Orioles 49 leading Kestrels 42.
Despite numerous desperate changes by the Kestrels in the final quarter, Orioles held fast and to a screaming crowd held their lead to take the second successive win for the 2006 netball season. Final scores Perth Orioles 59 goals winners over the Kestrels’ 53 goals.
Source: Netball Australia

Netball Oz applauds sports funding boost (May 12)
Netball Australia applauds the funding boost to sport announced on Tuesday evening in the federal budget.
“Netball Australia congratulates the Minister for the Arts and Sport, the Hon. Rod Kemp, for his understanding of the challenges being faced by organisations such as Netball Australia,” said Netball Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Lindsay Cane
The additional funding of $55.7 million over four years will assist the Australian sports industry to meet the international challenges facing Australian sport and help to deliver the sporting excellence now expected by the Australian public.
“The success of Australian netball, like many other Australian sports, is being seriously challenged,” said Cane.
“The Silver Ferns and the English Netball team both now enjoy a massive investment from their governments to remain focussed and undistracted in their pursuit of the world title. We expect the extra funding to assist Australian netball to remain competitive against our rivals.”
Source: Netball Australia

Star sponsor for the Queensland Firebirds (April 18)
Queensland’s Firebirds netball team is off to a positive start to the 2006 Commonwealth Bank Trophy season with the signing of Star Systems as naming rights sponsor.  Star Systems manufactures sports training and rehabilitation equipment.
The three-year deal with Star Systems will see the Firebirds take to the court in 2006 as the Star Systems Queensland Firebirds.
Former Australian Team captain Vicki Wilson (pictured) was the first exciting addition to the 2006 team. Her appointment was followed with the selection of some experienced Trophy talent, including top Australian shooter Jo Morgan and former Firebird Belinda Dever.
“The Queensland Firebirds motto for 2006 is leaving behind their past and starting afresh.  We are set on creating an exciting future for the Queensland Firebirds,” Wilson said.
Source: Netball Queensland

Young netballers converge on Penrith (April 11)
Penrith is set to become the netball capital of Australia this month as 192 of the nation’s most talented young netballers descend upon Penrith Sports Stadium for The Athlete’s Foot 2006 17U & 19U National Netball Championships.
Over six gruelling days Australia’s up and coming netball talent will battle on court representing their State or Territory, for the honour of being crowned National Champions.
Penrith Sports Stadium in Sydney’s West is expected to showcase some fiercely competitive netball from day one of competition, with the first match commencing at 1.00pm on Tuesday 25th April 2006.
The Underage National Championships began in 1985 and forms an important pathway to the elite teams with all 12 Australian Commonwealth Games Netball Team members having competed in the Championships in their journey towards representing their country.
This year in the 19U division, three-time defending Champions Victoria, will be looking to make it four in a row. Victoria will also be looking to win back their 17U title after New South Wales ended their three-year Premiership run in 2005.
Source: Netball Australia

Netball Qld gets energised (April 5)
Ergon Energy has signed on to become the naming rights sponsor of Netball Queensland’s State League competition.
The 2006 Ergon Energy Trophy will showcase a broader and more competitive field of players with the competition being expanded to include a new team from Townsville, the Smorgon Steelcats.
Netball Queensland CEO James Voght welcomed Ergon Energy’s support of the new State League.
“This is a wonderful partnership with one of Queensland’s iconic companies,” Mr Voght said.
“This is an elite competition where our future representative players hone their skills. We are very excited about Ergon Energy’s commitment to our sport and look forward to a great relationship,” he said.

Netball loses two of the best (April 3)
Elite Australian netball shooter, Eloise Southby-Halbish has called it a day after announcing her retirement from representative netball in Melbourne last week, following Natalie Avellino’s retirement announcement.
“I have a very good job with the AFL and have started my own consulting, marketing and management business - The Whole 3 Feet with Phoenix team-mate Ingrid Dick. Media opportunities and also the chance to spend more time with my husband Phil and my family were all reasons. It was just the right time for me, and in my heart, I knew I could not keep doing everything,” Southby-Halbish said.
Twenty-nine year old Southby-Halbish has been an integral part of Australian netball since her first call up to the Australian 21U Team in 1994. Over the next four years the talented shooter represented her country in the junior team and her talented performance at the 1996 World Youth Cup in Canada was instrumental in Australia’s World Champion title. It was at the young age of 21 that Southby-Halbish made her international debut for the Australian Netball Team while on tour in Jamaica in 1998. Over the next eight years she appeared regularly on court for Australia notching up 34 tests caps and shooting 567 goals at 82 per cent. A Commonwealth Games Gold Medal from Manchester in 2002 and a Silver medal from the 2003 World Netball Championships in Jamaica, can be found in the outgoing shooter’s trophy cabinet. Southby-Halbish’s on-court partnership with Australian captain Sharelle McMahon, which spanned more than nine years, has been the envy of coaches across Australia and aboard.
An injury to her ankle during a pre-match tournament for Melbourne Phoenix in 2004 required surgery and was ultimately the reason the talented shooter announced her withdrawal from the 2006 Commonwealth Games netball team when further surgery was found necessary.

Plus…
The closing ceremony of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games did not just signify the end to the best Games in history, but also to the international career of Australian netballer, Natalie Avellino.
Australia’s most senior player announced her retirement from Australian representative netball at the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games after informing team members and staff at a training camp in February. The gifted centre court player and shooter made her debut for Australia in 1994 and after a number of years absence from the Green and Gold was recalled to the team in 2004. Avellino was instrumental in Australia’s success at the recent Games, taking the court in all seven matches, and her quick hands, anticipation and knowledge of the sport was vital for Australia during their Games campaign.
“I was given an opportunity to get back in the Australian Team 18-months ago and the Commonwealth Games is a nice way for my career to end,” said Avellino.
“At 35-years it is a good time to finish and I look forward to spending some time with my boyfriend,” continued Avellino. “I will be looking at different opportunities going forward including coaching, as I have my level 2 accreditation.”
Source: Netball Australia

NZ wins tough match (March 26)
The long anticipated showdown for Netball gold did not disappoint, as world champion New Zealand defeated reigning Commonwealth champion Australia, 60-55.
An enthusiastic crowd lifted Australia early in the game, however it was not long before New Zealand took control. Physical play from both teams saw players finding the floor as often as the ball.
Anna Scarlett applied the pressure for New Zealand in defence, forcing key errors from Australian sharp shooter Catherine Cox, while at the other end of the court, Bianca Chatfield battled to shut down Kiwi goal shooting dynamo Irene Van Dyk.
Australia rallied in the late stages of the match but had to settle for Commonwealth silver for the first time in 12 years.
"This smile won't leave my face for a long time," said New Zealand captain Adine Wilson. "It was a wicked crowd, it was awesome, we just loved it.
"The haka made me nearly cry. The Commonwealth Games were fantastic." It was a disappointing day for bronze medal favourites Jamaica who went down to England 52-53. After starting strongly, Jamaica fell away in the dying stages of the game.
Abby Teare was instrumental to England's success after being repositioned as goal shooter. She opened up the attacking circle and created invaluable scoring opportunities.
Star Jamaican goal shooter Elaine Davis kept her team in the match only to be pipped at the post by the fast finishing English team.

Anderson for NZ (Jan 31)
From Netball Australia: Sydney TAB Swifts vice captain and Australian international netballer Megan Anderson has today announced that she has withdrawn from the 2006 TAB Swifts squad and will play in the upcoming National Bank Cup competition in New Zealand for the Fujifilm Force. Anderson, a long-time member of the Sydney TAB Swifts and Australian Open squad, received confirmation of her place in the 2006 Force squad this morning after the team held their final selection trials on Saturday in North Harbour, New Zealand.
The National Bank Cup season gets underway on April 28 this year, with Anderson planning a move to North Harbour at the end of March. The Force, who boast current SilverFerns' Temepara George and Leana de Bruin, first approached the talented Swifts' shooter in 2004, but it was not until October last year that a switch to the New Zealand domestic league became a realistic possibility for Anderson.
“Playing in New Zealand is something I have always wanted to experience and the timing of the approach at the end of last season was ideal,” commented Anderson, who married her long-time partner, Greg on New Year's Eve last year.
Pic: Netball Association

Netball vs Basketball in Sydney (Jan 27)
Sydney Swift netballers are taking on the Sydney Uni Flames Women's National Basketball League team in a never-before-seen battle of the codes at 5:45pm in the Sydney SuperDome tonight.
The school holiday promotion match precedes the men's basketball West Sydney Razorbacks versus Sydney Kings main event starting at 7:45pm.
The first half of the ladies match will be netball, followed by basketball in the second half.
“The girls and I are really excited about the match,” said Swifts coach Julie Fitzgerald.
“A lot of our girls have played basketball at a pretty high level, so we are quietly confident of coming out on top.”
International and Swifts vice captain, Megan Anderson, is looking forward to the contest and says she can't wait to match up against Opals captain, Trish Fallon.
“I follow the Flames throughout the year and know a lot of the girls, so I think the match should be fun,” she said.
“But I think it's going to be interesting to see two of the most popular women's sports up against each other.”
By Katrina Putker

Triple Treat for McMahon! (October 23)
Sharelle McMahon has won her third Commonwealth Bank Most Valuable Player award at the National Netball League awards, topping off a stunning year for the Melbourne Phoenix co-captain. The goal-attack shot 479 goals this season at an average of 29.9 and 83 per cent accuracy, to lead the Phoenix to a record fifth premiership. McMahon is one of only three Phoenix players, along with co-captain Eloise Southby-Halbish and Ingrid Dick, to have played in all three premierships. She joined Australian captain Liz Ellis (1996, 1998, 2002) as the only players to have won the award three times, having previously won the $10,000 prize in 2000 and 2005. McMahon won with 68 votes, nine clear of her Australian shooting partner Catherine Cox. Kristen Heinrich from the Adelaide Thunderbirds finished third with 47 votes. Australian coach Norma Plummer congratulated McMahon on her award and praised her courage and endeavor in making a successful return from ankle surgery. "I think the kid has done a brilliant job in getting back," she said. "She's been through the wars, with three ankle operations…and has looked down the barrel, at times, wondering whether it was all worth it.” Adding to her delight, McMahon was also named goal attack in the team of the year for the fourth successive year. Joining McMahon in the team of the year are her Phoenix team-mates Bianca Chatfield (goal-keeper), Natasha Chokljat (wing defence) and Johannah Curran (goal defence). Adelaide Thunderbird team-mates and sisters Laura (wing attack) and Natalie von Bertouch (centre) and Catherine Cox (goal-shooter) from the Sydney Swifts are the other members of the team. In other awards Cox was named Australian team player of the year for the second consecutive year. Chokljat captured the Player’s Player award, Clare McMeniman from the AIS Canberra Darters the Best New Talent award and the Thunderbird’s Kirby Mutton the World Youth Netball Championships player of the series. The Phoenix continued their dominance of the night when Coach Julie Hoornweg was named domestic coach of the year. Also acknowledged on the night was the media, with Warren Partland from The Advertiser given the Tanya Denver Award for best overall media coverage while photographer Cameron Richardson, also of The Advertiser, picked up the award for best photograph.
By Sally Browne
Netball Australia websiteAussies take on world no.3 (Oct 20)
The Australian netball team is set to take on the world number three Jamaican Team in a three part test series in early November. Kingston in Jamaica will host the showdown on November fourth, fifth and seventh.
This is the first meeting between the pair since the 2003 World Championships, where they fought out a thrilling semi final that saw Australia through to the grand final.
Australia's squad was announced on October 15 for both this test and the one off test against New Zealand on October 29. The 15 members of the squad is similar to the team that were defeated by New Zealand's Silver Fern's in June of this year, minus Mo'onia Gerrard who was injured in that June test.
This will be Australia's final tour before the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March 2006. Norma Palmer, Coach of the Aussie's, is using the test as a warm up to the games. “We are going to New Zealand and Jamaica to play world number one and three to ensure we have everything covered, leaving us with no surprises, come March 2006,” said Palmer on Netball Australia's website.
The squad is named on the Netball Australia website, along with further information about the tours in both Jamaica and New Zealand.
By Sarah Watson

Silver Ferns team named (Oct 20)
The New Zealand Silver Ferns selection process has finished and the chosen members will compete against Australia in the Fisher and Paykel Cup next week. This match will be the first part of a tour in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.
The selected team members are: Irene van Dyk, Jodi Te Huna, Belinda Colling, Maria Tutaia, Temepara George (vice-captain), Adine Wilson (Captain), Laura Langman, Anna Rowberry, Vilimaina Davu, Anna Scarlett, Leana de Bruin and Casey Williams (pending medical clearance).
Silver Ferns coach, Ruth Aitken, admitted to Netball New Zealand that it was a rigorous selection process and a very tough decision.
“When we identified 21 trialists of such high calibre it was always going to be a tough selection but we are very pleased with the balance of youth and experience and the versatility of playing options available,” she said.
The New Zealand and Australian netball teams have always been fierce competitors and this will be the first time the two have matched up since Australia's exciting semi-final loss during the 2003 World Netball Championships.
“We are now focused on the Fisher & Paykel Cup against Australia, so it has been important to select in-form players with expertise and versatility for now and the building for the future,” Aitken said.
Following the Cup, both teams will travel to Jamaica to compete against the world-ranked number three home side.
National Coach Norma Plummer told Netball Australia: “We are going to New Zealand and Jamaica to play world number one and three to ensure we have everything covered, leaving us with no surprises, come March 2006.”
By Sarah Carson

Netball win for NSW (Oct 9)
New South Wales has taken out the open division in a thriller over Victoria of the Athlete's Foot National Netball Championship. New South Wales defeated Victoria 59-57 in extra time.
The teams where deadlocked at both the first quarter break and when the final siren rang out. At 46 a piece the teams were forced to play out the championship in over time.
Goaler's Joanne Morgan and Susan Pratley shot fiercely for New South Wales in the first half of over time. However the Victorians answered every goal resulting in the teams still being interlocked at the break.
The final half of the extra time saw strong defence in both teams with New South Wales taking a two goal lead in the final five minutes of the game. This resulted in a victory when the final siren rang out.
This win has crowned New South Wales as back to back National Champions after their win in the 2004 competition.
In the under 21 division Western Australia were crowned the Champions after defeating the South Australians 60 to 53. The Western Australians led by two goals at the first break and extended this lead throughout the match to become the best team in the Nation for 2005.
Full match reports and statistics can be found on the Netball Australia website which can be found at www.netball.asn.au.
By Sarah Watson

Netball champs, day 2 (Oct 6)
After two days of competition at the National Netball Championships in Canberra, NSW, Victoria, and Western Australia are yet to be defeated in the open division.
Defending champions NSW faced their toughest test of the tournament so far, when they took on South Australia last night but ran home winners with a 59 - 50 victory.
Earlier that day, in its round three match, NSW easily accounted for hosts ACT 69-41.
Tournament hopefuls Victoria also stamped its mark on the competition today.
The Vic's comprehensively outplayed Tasmania to win 70-30 before upsetting Queensland 67-37.
Western Australia once again proved they will be difficult to beat in 2005, by defeating Tasmania 78 - 43 and Queensland 67- 37
In other games, the Northern Territory edged out the ACT in a thrilling encounter while South Australia defeated Northern Territory 53 - 29.
In tomorrow's games, Tasmania take on Queensland, ACT go up against South Australia, the Northern Territory play NSW and Victoria defend themselves against Western Australia.
By Lauren Hilbert
Netball Association

Netball champs begin (Oct 2)
Australia's Under 21 and Open State and Territory teams are heading to the ACT to battle for the honour of the Athlete's Foot National Netball Championship which begins on October 3.
The competition will be fought out over six demanding days at the ACT Netball Centre, with finals being held on the final day. Over the last four years of the championship no one team has dominated, with every year producing a new national champion.
Competition will be fierce in both the under 21 and open division as the teams play to ultimately be named as the best in Australia. This will be extremely evident in the under 21 division with teams not only competing for the championship but to be gain selection in the National Squad for the Under 21 Australian team for the 2005/2006 season.
The coach of this squad, Michelle Wilkins, will be announcing the 22 players of the squad on October 8 after the competition has finished. This will give players in all the teams the opportunity to prove throughout the six day competition they have what the selectors are looking for in an Australian Netballer.
Further information and regular updates from the competition will posted on the Netball Australia website, which can be found at www.netball.asn.au.
By Sarah Watson

Features

Netball's battle for resources (Nov 7, 2005)
Winners reaping poor rewards

Champions of the game (Nov 7, 2005)
How to become a netball umpire

Links

Netball Australia website