Western Border launches 2020 junior competition after extended break

Stella Mobbs Dsc 9936  TBW Newsgroup
BACK AT IT: Western Border netball returned to Mount Gambier courts on Saturday as the association launched its 2020 junior season. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

Stella Mobbs Dsc 9936 TBW Newsgroup
BACK AT IT: Western Border netball returned to Mount Gambier courts on Saturday as the association launched its 2020 junior season. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

LIMESTONE Coast netballers and footballers were reunited on the weekend when the Western Border Netball Association launched its 2020 junior competition alongside the football series.

The opening round was deemed a success and good numbers graced the Mount Gambier venues which hosted both sporting codes, while unseasonably warm conditions made the day all the more enjoyable.

Over at Blue Lake Sports Park South Gambier netballers had a double-header round to catch up on the fixture missed due to starting a week later than the football.

The young Demons played Millicent in the morning, before returning to the court for a clash against North Gambier in the afternoon.

As a result a full day of netball was on show at the venue, despite the absence of senior games.

A good crowd was present on the day and WBNA president Jo Gibbs said it was a positive start to the season.

“I think it kicked off really well – it was a lovely atmosphere out there,” she said.

“Everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves out there and when you get a perfect day like that, who would not want to be outside running around?”

Gibbs said during the uncertainty in the early stages of preparing a COVID-19 affected season, there was a level of concern from some people, but now the first round had been completed with the correct practices in place, it should put a few minds at ease.

“I think early on when we were trying to make a decision whether to go back or not, there were some people who were a bit nervous about it,” she said.

“But I think having week one out of the way it will just be business as usual now.”

With so many Limestone Coast residents relying on winter sport for socialising, it was a welcome sight to see some normality return to football sporting grounds, albeit in a socially-distanced setting.

“It is that social side of it that everyone enjoys so much and you do not realise how much you miss it until it starts again,” Gibbs said.

Longer breaks between netball games allowed for correct COVID-19 protocols to be followed, while new balls were used for each game.

“We tried to keep the equipment confined to each side, which made things a bit easier,” Gibbs said.

As far as the competition on the day goes, there was a mix of close and one-sided matches.

The 17 and Under fixtures each had a dominant team, with Millicent too strong for South, before the latter defeated North by eight goals.

West Gambier also had a solid win when it accounted for East Gambier by 30 goals.

The closest match of the day was a nail-biting one-goal win to South’s 15 and Under A side over Millicent, while the Demons also scraped through against North in 15 and Under B to win by two goals.

This week a double-header will be played at Millicent, with North playing the Saints in the morning before catch-up matches between Millicent and West in the afternoon.