That difference was evident in the Western Region all-abilities side’s improvement at the state netball championships at Melbourne’s State Netball and Hockey Centre.

In 2017 the side didn’t record a victory at the tournament but this year, led by Val Bertrand in the absence of coach Marg Morgan, won all but two of its games to finish with a silver medal. 

The only games the team lost were to eventual winners Barwon. The second loss was a 13-5 defeat in the gold medal match.

A proud Bertrand said the extra games the team had played in Warrnambool aided it come crunch time at the championships.

“They were just brilliant and they did a good job the whole day,” she said.

“As preparation for the championships they played in an open mixed competition and that helped them improve and play better netball and I feel it contributed to them having more confidence in their skills.

“They are aged between 16 and 20 and they held their own against stronger teams and they were really up for the challenge.”

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