Netball in the Peel region continued to grow substantially in 2018.
The Mandurah Netball Association (MNA) continued to produce some of the state’s best junior players, the Peel Football and Netball League (PFNL) expanded to a competition built of three divisions and 24 teams and both are set to enter the new year playing in the inaugural Metro League.
But it was netball on the national scale that gave the sport a head start this year, with the West Coast Fever hitting town for a pre-season game against Queensland.
Some of the Fever players took the time to show the MNA’s young guns the ropes with a clinic, before they whipped the Firebirds at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre to ignite a year that would see them go on to play in their first ever Suncorp Super Netball grand final.
It was the perfect start to the 2018 netball calendar in Mandurah, and the follow on didn’t disappoint.
Throughout the year the MNA’s rising stars would go on to shine bright at the Netball WA Smarter than Smoking Association Championships, with a bunch of their teams taking out a strong set of results.
The MNA fielded 13 teams in this year’s carnival ranging in age categories from under 12s to open sides, with three making it through to grand finals including their division one under 17s squad, which finished atop the field with a premiership win.
In individual achievements, Ella Sigley continued to impress Australian scouts as she remains on a path towards the elite levels of the sport.
Reaching new heights, the PFNL was able to get all eight of their clubs fielding three sides apiece in their netball sector in 2018, competing in the league, reserves and open grades.
The loaded league made for a stunning competition, with Waroona once again ruling the roost as they pipped Pinjarra in the grand final for a second straight year.
Star goal shooter Donnelle Wallam was an unstoppable force throughout the year, ending as the season’s top-scorer as she helped the Demons secure the premiership.
The PFNL will be looking to add even more teams to the netball system next year, with the opening of an under 19s grade.
It is anticipated all clubs will field teams in the new division, taking the total teams competing to 32.
Overseeing the operation will be newly-appointed netball coordinater Anne Bowey, who will also coach the PFNL’s first ever representative team when they suit up in the Metro League this coming February.
Both the PFNL and MNA will hit the court for the inaugural Netball WA competition.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
