Ready for the best


Published on Tuesday, March 7, 2017

DIAMOND Creek will vie to become the state’s top-ranked netball club when it competes at the Netball Victoria League Club Challenge this weekend.

Diamond Creek has been the benchmark in the Northern Netball League since the league’s inception in 2008 – winning eight of the nine Section 1 premierships, including the past seven.

Now the club will test itself against the best netball teams from around the state in the inaugural League Club Challenge at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on March 11 and 12.

The tournament will pit all A-Grade premiers from netball leagues throughout Victoria in a round-robin format, with the winner to be crowned the best netball club in the state.

Ten clubs have entered the tournament, with each to play each other once over the nine-round fixture.

All round-robin matches will consist of two 12-minutes halves, with every club to play six matches on Saturday and another three matches on Sunday.

The top-four sides will compete in semi finals on Sunday afternoon, with the two semi final winners to square off in the grand final.

Diamond Creek playing-coach Brooke George said her side was taking great confidence into this weekend’s tournament.

“We know a lot of girls who have played in other leagues and have won the premierships, so we know there are some very strong teams out there,” George said.

“I think we are just as competitive as any team out there so I think we’ll be in with a big chance to do our league proud.”

Diamond Creek has named a 10-player squad for the League Club Challenge, with the squad comprising Lynsey Barrett, Georgia Bowkett, Katelyn Byron, Stacey Gannon, Brooke George, Chloe Lambert, Chylah Rogers, Kelly Sadowy, Bronwyn Taylor and Eloise Whitcroft.

Star goal keeper Bonnie Smith is currently overseas and will miss the tournament, while Kristie Gannon will also sit out and has been appointed team manager.

George said her side wouldn’t be overawed by the occasion as it looks to be crowned the No.1 netball team in the state.

“A lot of our girls have tournament experience so that won’t be anything new,” she said.

“We’ll have one, possibly two, hard training session leading into it and based around what we want to do at the Challenge.

“It will just be about coming back together and making sure we’re all on the same page.

“We’re looking forward to playing and showcasing the talent we have in our league.”

 

For further details, head to vic.netball.com.au.

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