After enduring a COVID-interrupted season, some of the Hunter and Central Coast’s brightest young netball stars finally had the opportunity to take the court at the inaugural Greater Series Netball Tournament, held at Breakers Indoor Stadium in Terrigal on October 17 and 18.
Sponsored by Greater Bank, the two-day tournament featured almost 100 aspiring netballers aged 14 to 16 years, representing three NSW Regional Academies of Sport - Hunter Academy of Sport, Central Coast Academy of Sport and the Wagga Wagga-based Southern Sports Academy.
It was a very successful weekend for Hunter Academy teams, taking out both the Division 1 and Division 2 competitions, while the Central Coast Academy was runner-up in Division 2.
It was be the first time the netballers took part in representative competition for 2020 after the season was interrupted by COVID-19. They were due to take part in the 2020 Your Local Club Academy Games Greater Bank Netball Tournament in Maitland the 2020 Greater Bank Academy Challenge in Orange; both of which were cancelled.
Central Coast Academy of Sport CEO, Ian Robilliard, said the Greater Series Netball Tournament provided a wonderful opportunity for the athletes to participate in elite level netball.
“This series was an exciting initiative, giving some of our state’s most talented young athletes the opportunity to come together to not only compete but also celebrate the sport,” Ian said.
Central Coast Academy of Sport CEO, Ian Robilliard
“While much of their season was either interrupted or cancelled, the weekend was a welcome opportunity for the squads to finally get some court time, test their skills against the other Academy teams and enjoy being part of competitive sport once again.”
The tournament is part of an important pathway for the players to showcase and test their skills against their peers, with the aim of achieving higher representative honours.
With the 2020 now completed, the Central Coast Academy of Sport is calling for applications for its 2021 Greater Bank Netball program. Head to the Academy’s website to find out more.