(From left) Lucy Pitt, Hazel Glowrey, Phoebe Jefferies, Ava Richards, Mia Parks, Bonnie Everett, Emma Parks, Shontai O’Callaghan and Ava Robinson.
The Deniliquin High School’s netball team has achieved its best-ever result in the NSW Combined High Schools Netball Championships, finishing fifth in the state.
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Having won the Riverina tournament in Wagga, undefeated across seven games, the team qualified for the state competition.
On Monday and Tuesday this week in Wollongong, they took on other regional champions in what began as a pool play competition.
They finished in the top four of their pool, going on to compete as part of the final top eight.
The nine-student squad was accompanied by teachers Marita Leetham and Alex Glowrey.
Mrs Glowrey said the team’s performance was “historic”.
“It is the third year Deni High has attended this competition, but this is the best result we have ever achieved,” she said.
“The girls really played as a cohesive unit and gelled so well together.”
On day one the Deni side played Hunter Sports, Camden, Inverell, The Hills Sports, Orange and Randwick high schools.
“The top four schools were all sports high schools. Fifth is amazing for a (comparatively) little town and high school!”
The final placings were as follows: Westfields SHS,1; The Hills SHS, 2; Hunter SHS, 3; Endeavour SHS, 4; Deniliquin High School, 5; Orange, 6; Coffs Harbour, 7; Dubbo, 8; Bulli (Conveners Plate), 9; Finley, 10, Castle Hill, 11; Terrigal HS, 12; Camden, 13; Randwick, 14; Inverell, 15.
The trip to Wollongong also allowed the students to brush shoulders with Australian Diamonds and NSW Swifts captain and star Paige Hadley, who coached The Hills Sports High School’s team.
“We were a bit star-struck when we saw her there but she was lovely, allowing us some photo opportunities.”
The Deniliquin High School Netball team at the NSWCHS Netball Championship included the following: Lucy Pitt, Phoebe Jefferies, Bonnie Everett, Ava Richards, Emma Parks, Shontai O’Callaghan, Mia Parks, Ava Robinson and Hazel Glowrey.
The Deniliquin High School Opens Netball team: Back (L-R) Lucy Pitt, Phoebe Jefferies, Bonnie Everett, Ava Richards, Emma Parks, Front (L-R) Shontai O’Callaghan, Mia Parks, Ava Robinson and Hazel Glowrey.
Team members getting to meet Australian Diamonds and NSW Swifts captain Paige Hadley.
The Deni High School netball team reach top-five: (L-R) Marita Leetham, Ava Richards, Lucy Pitt, Bonnie Everett, Phoebe Jefferies, Emma Parks, Mia Parks, Shontai O'Callaghan, Hazel Glowrey and Alex Glowrey.
Ava Richards prepares to make the pass at the NSWCHS Netball Championships.
Emma Parks prepares in defence at the NSWCHS Netball Championships.
Bonnie Everett lines up a long shot at the NSWCHS Netball Championships.
Mia Parks makes the overhead pass at the NSWCHS Netball Championships.
Shontai O'Callaghan surveys her passing options at the NSWCHS Netball Championships.
Lucy Pitt puts defensive pressure on the shooter at the NSWCHS Netball Championships.
Ava Robinson leads for the ball past the outstretched defender at the NSWCHS Netball Championships.
Phoebe Jefferies imposes herself defensively at the NSWCHS Netball Championships
Hazel Glowrey looks to get the pass past her defender at the NSWCHS Netball Championships.
The Deni High team huddle at the NSWCHS Netball Championships.
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