IMAGINE turning up to netball to see two leading players from the region’s premier league in opposition colours. It’s what happened on Saturday, when Koroit stars Kate Dobson and Stacey O’Sullivan played for Merrivale because the Saints had a Sunday game and the Tigers had injury troubles. Both Merrivale and Panmure were undefeated heading into the clash. But the addition of the two Saints, even though they played out of position, helped the Tigers keep their winning streak intact. For most clubs, having A grade players absent is the perfect opportunity to promote A reserve players or give up-and-coming juniors a taste of top level netball. But obviously Merrivale thinks differently. While Panmure was disappointed about the situation, netball delegate Emma Moore found a positive. “We learnt a lot from the game because it was a hard game for us,” she said. “But then I don’t think Merrivale would’ve learned all that much because they had those stand-in players.” Unfortunately, what the Tigers did was legal. Hampden League chief executive Stephen Soulsby said there was no rule relating to playing in two different leagues, while WDFNL netball president Andrea Richardson also said players were free to play in both leagues. “But (Hampden players) aren’t allowed to play District on a weekend that Hampden has a bye,” Richardson said. Players who do change between leagues can qualify for District finals by playing a minimum of six home-and-away games.
SOUTH Rovers has made sure that the males aren’t left out this weekend. Warrnambool and District Football Netball League is holding its pink round, with the Lions going all-out to help raise funds for and awareness of breast cancer. The club has a huge day and night lined up at Walter Oval, with pink footballs and netballs to be used in all games while the netballers will also wear pink shoelaces. The pink party continues in the evening with a function. Mother’s Day hampers will be auctioned off and while the fairer sex sips pink champagne, the males can get in touch with their feminine side (while still feeling slightly masculine) by drinking pink beer. Several other District league clubs are holding similar events.
MOST Hampden League senior training schedules were shuffled this week to give players an opportunity to enjoy a flutter and some fizz at the May Racing Carnival. Cobden and Camperdown were the only clubs not to implement changes, with the Bombers and Magpies training as usual last night. Koroit backed up its Sunday match against Terang Mortlake with a training on Monday night before its clash with Cobden tomorrow. Terang Mortlake’s senior side shifted its usual Thursday night training to Wednesday, as did North Warrnambool Eagles. Warrnambool moved from Thursday to Friday, with South Warrnambool’s senior team doing the same. Port Fairy cancelled all training due to cold weather and race day commitments.
TWELVE players have made themselves available for Hampden League’s open LOUD championships team. Coach Lorraine English said there was some confusion regarding the venue and time of Monday’s initial training session, so the players who managed to attend discussed their campaign. “A couple of players aren’t available for certain rounds,” she said. “I’ll be using all 12. There’s a great mix of clubs.” While English couldn’t reveal the names of the players as she was yet to notify the league, she said all of those who put their names forward were quality netballers. The 17 and under, 15 and under and 13 and under sessions all managed to attract close to 30 players. The next training is Monday at Brauer College, with the qualifying round of the titles on Saturday, May 22.
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