Under-13s coach Chelsea Jeffrey (far right) with (back, from left) Georgia Danckert, Lara Redden, Rachel Taylor, Olivia Jeffrey, Meg Meharry, Lilly Boyer and Maggie Shields; (front) Savannah Bain, Jorja Woolston and Zara O'Donnell. Absent was Eva Maher.
The Deniliquin Netball Association’s representative teams have etched their names in history with an extraordinary display of talent and determination.
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Both the under-13s and under-15s teams brought home gold to Deniliquin after winning their respective division two grand finals at the National Netball Championships (Northern) on Sunday.
The championships were hosted by Netball Victoria and the Mildura Netball Association in Mildura.
Throughout the day, both the U13s and U15s teams showcased their skills in a total of eight games, each consisting of intense eight minute halves.
The U15s team proved to be an unstoppable force, remaining undefeated throughout the day and securing a well-deserved spot in the semi-finals.
In a resounding victory against Echuca gold, they dominated with a formidable 10-point lead.
With fatigue setting in, the U15s team entered the grand final against Golden Rivers Football Netball Club, fully aware of the challenge ahead.
But fuelled by their unwavering determination, the girls emerged triumphant, securing a victory with a remarkable 3-goal margin.
The U13s team battled their way to the semi-finals, where they faced Echuca DNA in a fiercely contested match.
In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, they emerged victorious by a single point, earning them a place in the grand final.
In a remarkable turn of events, the U13s team found themselves facing Sunraysia once again in the grand final, having suffered a narrow defeat earlier in the day.
(Back, from left) Under-15s coach Carissa Bulmer with Emily Taylor, Hannah Jamieson, Milly Hanmer, Alice Circuitt and Phoebe Newman; (front) Sienna Elphick, Brydey Maher, Ava Marshall and Amelie Bulmer.
Undeterred by the previous encounter, the girls summoned every ounce of strength and resilience to deliver an outstanding performance.
With sheer determination, they secured a hard-fought victory, triumphing by a margin of 2 goals.
This historic achievement showcases the unwavering spirit and dedication of the Deniliquin Netball representative teams.
Their remarkable journey, filled with hard-fought battles and relentless perseverance, will be remembered for years to come.
DNA rep co-ordinator Katie Taylor has described this year's achievement as “truly historic”.
“Making it to the Nationals finals is already a remarkable accomplishment, but to have not just one, but two teams bring home gold is absolutely incredible,” she said.
“The level of determination and skill displayed by our Deni girls on Sunday was extraordinary.
“They fought tirelessly and gave their all, showcasing the true spirit of our netball community.
“This tremendous success is a testament to the talent and dedication we have here in Deniliquin.
“We are immensely proud of our teams for qualifying for the finals and for their outstanding performances.
“This achievement highlights the depth of talent in our netball program and reinforces our status as a force to be reckoned with in the sport.
“Once again, congratulations to all the players, coaches, and support staff involved. Your hard work and commitment have made this a truly historic moment for the Deniliquin Netball Association.
“And a huge congratulations to the players, from the DNA Committee, DNA's life time members, other players, families, sponsors and the whole township of Deniliquin.”
The club also expressed its thanks to Taylor and the other team managers and coaches - Carissa Bulmer, Chelsea Jeffrey and Catherine Newman - for their “dedication and continuous efforts” and the selectors for putting together a cracking team for the 2024 representative season.
“DNA would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous representative sponsors - Wired Entertainment, Deni Clothing and Co, and Purtill Group - as well as out major partner Harvey Norman Deniliquin and platinum sponsor Deniliquin RSL,” DNA said.
“Your support has been instrumental in making our journey to the championships possible and we are proud to have you as our sponsors.
“Your contributions have helped DNA to provide the necessary resources for our coaches, umpires, and all the representative teams.
“Your commitment to the Deniliquin Netball Association is truly appreciated. Your sponsorship not only enables us to compete at the highest level but also fosters the growth and development of our talented netball players.”
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