Albany netballers hold court with three age-group titles as the Southern Regional Championships come to town

The Great Southern Regional Championships attracted 29 teams to the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre for the annual tournament from July 18-20. Seven of the nine Great Southern associations sent teams which competed in five age groups. Three Albany teams became regional premiers, nailing the 20 and 16-and-under crowns and having two city sides in the 12-and-under grand final — won by Albany Green. The competition will return to the city next year, for Albany’s bicentenary. Selection for the Great Southern Regional Development Academy was also on the agenda for players who want to be in with a chance of joining the pathway to the elite game. Those picked for the academy earn places at training camps in Albany and Katanning before choices are made for the Fever in Time training squad. Albany had at least two sides in each of the age groups, bar the open category. In the 20-and-under competition, Albany Green’s group campaign took in a 39-22 win over Esperance, a 46-19 victory over Katanning and a 45-16 victory over Albany Gold. They tackled Gold again in the semifinals, cruising to a 47-13 win before completing an unbeaten weekend with a 33-26 grand final success over Esperance. Albany Gold’s other results were round robin losses to Katanning and Esperance. Albany’s Green and Gold also did battle in the 16-and-under competition with the Greens coming through to beat Esperance 36-22 in the final. On the way they saw off Gold 37-13, Denmark 38-24, Esperance 31-24, Narrogin 35-30 and Ongerup 53-18. Gold notched wins over Narrogin and Ongerup but lost to Esperance. Their contest against Denmark was a 26-26 thriller with Denmark grabbing the last three goals to level, including one with 27sec. left on the clock. The 12-and-under Albany Green team cruised to their title, waltzing through their group matches to the grand final where they defeated Albany Gold 30-5. Coach Gail Butterworth said her team had played lovely netball. “We had good shooting, good defending and nice link-up play in the mid-court,” she said. “Both teams had some really good players, and it looks as though Albany netball has a really bright future.” At 14-and-under, Albany Green lost out in the semifinal to eventual champions Esperance. Two other Albany teams took part in that age category, Albany Gold and the Albany 13-and-under side. Esperance beat Narrogin 68-48 in the open grand final. Albany’s campaign was undone by losses to both finalists, going down 65-58 to the eventual champions and 73-54 to Narrogin. They were also beaten 59-55 by Ongerup with a 57-41 win over Denmark their only victory. Regional awards were presented to those who had made an impact off the court. Jodie Sercombe, of Narrogin and Districts, was named the Aware Super Volunteer of the Year and her association colleague Regina Kickett won the sportsmanship award.