THE Hampden league has announced a 17 and under team featuring players who have stepped up from the Western regionals for the Netball Victoria Association Championships next month.
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The HFNL announced its 17 and under and 13 and under teams on Wednesday, ahead of the qualifying round at Ballarat on May 29.
Jackie Smedts, who co-coaches the 17 and under team with Jody Roth, said she was looking forward to seeing what the girls would produce at the qualifying round.
“We’ve got a very strong core and it’s going to be really interesting to see how everybody fits in around that,” she said.
“They’re a good bunch of kids, we’re looking forward to it (the competition).
“You have to finish first or second to get through to Melbourne – it’s really after Ballarat you know where you stand.”
With other commitments making it difficult to get the team together, the 17 and under girls are looking to have just one hitout the week before the championships.
Especially with the young ones, it’s important they’re not pigeon-holed into one spot.
- Rose Wombwell
The league’s 13 and under team will have a completely different look in 2016, according to co-coach Rose Wombwell.
With all players from last year moving up an age group, Wombwell and fellow coach Rachel Mungean have been able to assemble a new team from the ground up.
“I think there’s no one left from last year, so we’ve had to go right back,” Wombwell said.
“We’ve gone for versatility.
“Especially with the young ones, it’s important they’re not pigeon-holed into one spot.”
With more than 35 young netballers trying out for the team, the coaches were able to select a group capable of moving through all thirds of the court ahead of the championships.
Wombell said she had been impressed by what she saw over the two selection nights.
“The young ones, they’re just real sponges,” she said.
“Me and Rachel Mungean, we’re just looking forward to working with the girls and hopefully they’ll learn something.”
The team will have three more training sessions before AFL Victoria Community Championships weekend, with the associations championships to be played the following weekend.
The Hampden league’s 15 and under squad will be announced later this week.
HFNL 17 and under team:
Chloe Plunkett, Emily Pertzel, Danielle Vankalken (Hamilton Kangaroos), Georgia Corbett, Kira Bussell (North Warrnambool Eagles, Nevadah Ooi-Cleary, Tayla Falconer (Portland), Ally O’Connor (South Warrnambool), Maddie Hunger (Terang Mortlake), Molly Hutt (Cobden).
HFNL 13 and under team:
Ava Pierce, Zahli Adams, Tessa Allen, Gabrielle Hearn (Port Fairy), Olivia Marris, Layla Monk, Ally Mellblom (South Warrnambool), Maggie Conheady (Camperdown), Tayla McInerney (Koroit), Kaitlyn Fowler (North Warrnambool Eagles).