Netball Victoria’s Regional State League competition is about to kick off around the state with the Region’s representative teams from leagues and associations coming together to compete for the coveted title of the region’s best Netball team.
The Eastern Regional State League is in for another sizzling summer of Netball with an increase of teams in all divisions from 2014. Despite the disappointing withdrawal of last year’s runners up Mid Gippsland, Alberton Football Netball League will be the team to beat in the Open division.
After a dominating display in 2014, Alberton went through the season undefeated to win the Grand Final convincingly, and continued their winning ways to beat all other Regional State League Premiers in the Champions Challenge for the second year in a row.
The 17 & Under division is looking strong with the inclusion of Pakenham Netball Association and the return of last year’s winner Alberton Football Netball League.
Judi Buhagiar, Netball Victoria’s Regional Development Manager for the Eastern Region, is looking forward to another strong Eastern Regional State League.
"The Regional State League competition provides its players, coaches, umpires and officials with the best possible development pathways with a strong emphasis on Talent Identification, umpire badging and coach development. It really focuses on the broader spectrum of Netball", Mrs Buhagiar said
The Eastern Regional State League has also seen the rise of some of the state’s best netballers, with athletes being selected for Victorian state under age teams and also Victorian Netball League (VNL) Clubs.
The 15 & Under competition, hosted by Sale Netball Association, has gained momentum since its pilot in 2014. This season will have eight teams competing compared to last year’s five, demonstrating the growing success of the competition. Like the Open and 17 & Under sections, this competition also offers an opportunity　for umpires to improve their skills and further their knowledge, offering an umpire mentor program.
Sam McKay, Coordinator of the Eastern Regional State League competition in Sale can’t stress enough the importance of having such a high level of competition and development pathway opportunities in regional Victoria.
"The accessibility of a high level netball competition is extremely important for the development and skill level of our young players so they have every opportunity possible in their Region," Mrs McKay said
"Travelling is a big thing for families and the players at this age need to make time to study, so having this competition in the local area makes this so much more important to these athletes."
The competition will kick off of at the Churchill Leisure Centre on Friday the 30th of January and at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale on Monday the 2nd of February.
2015 Eastern Regional State League Teams for Gippsland League are below in the attatchment.
Last Modified on 29/01/2015 15:34
