THE TRFM Gippsland League’s open netball team became the Regional State League champions following a convincing win against Ballarat Football Netball League earlier this month.
Above: the victorious Gippsland Netball League open team. Back, from left to right: Jayde Travers, Ramayer Gourley, Jessie Hedley, coach Kate French and team manager Fiona Morrow. Front: Stacey O'Brien, Caitlan Ponton, Taylah Bott and captain Courtney Blair. Supplied by the Gippsland League.
Held on 19 April, the final of the League’s Champions Challenge was an opener to the ANZ Championship’s Round 8 battle between the Melbourne Vixens and New Zealand’s Southern Steel at Hisense Arena.
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Ballarat and Gippsland seemed to be equally matched in the beginning, but Gippsland quickly made their mark and won 57 points to Ballarat’s 33.
The team consisted of nine players from Drouin, Moe, Traralgon, and Wonthaggi.
The goal attack for the Gippsland League, Courtney Blair won the award for best on court.
Coach of the TRFM Gippsland League Kate French said the victory was achieved because of the hard work and talent of each of the girls.
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“All the hard work and training sessions have paid off and it was a fantastic team effort displayed by the girls on the day to beat a very talented Ballarat outfit,” Ms French said in a media release.
The Gippsland League’s Under 17 team was beaten by a small margin in its last match at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
The team fought hard through three other matches to reach the final with the Albury Netball Association, which had not yet lost a game.
The scores remained equal for most of the game, but Albury pipped Gippsland at the post by a goal.
Operations manager of the TRFM Gippsland League Matt Ogilvie said the result would not have been possible without the efforts of everyone involved.
“Hats off to all the coaches, scorers, primary carers, support staff, parents and other volunteers that have helped the Gippsland teams over the past two months,” Mr Ogilvie said in a media release.
The TRFM Gippsland League will play against Yarra Valley Mountain District Football Netball league at Drouin Recration Reserve on Saturday 23 May.
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