James Murphy
THE Mid South East Netball Association will look to go one step better at this weekend’s 2023 SA Country Championships in Adelaide.
The association’s senior representative team finished runner-up to Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara last year, but will have its sights set on the silverware this campaign.
Robe’s Kim Ross takes on the coaching duties again for her second stint in the top job.
She is pleased with how the team has come together and is confident it will be competitive again.
“We have a good, wide spread,” she told The Border Watch this week.
“We have six out of the nine clubs (represented) which is good.
“Last year we made the grand final and lost to KNTNA, so we are out for some vengeance this year.”
Kalanadoo star shooter Abbey Duncan will captain the side and will also be a focal point in attack.
Among other regular top performers, there will be a few new faces in the team this year.
“Tayla Rowe it is her first year out of Under 17’s,” Ross said.
“She has always done it through juniors, but this is her first year in seniors.”
Port MacDonnell’s Alana Berkefeld is new to the association and as a former Penola netballer she will gear up against her former association in the KNTNA.
Lara Munro is another new addition, with the talented youngster joining the Mid South East this year coming across from Western Border.
“On paper the team looks very good, it is just about what happens on the weekend,” Ross said.
Trials were successful with a good turnout, while the selected team has had a couple of training sessions.
Ross said everyone was gelling well and were looking forward to the weekend.
In her second year as coach, Ross said it has been another enjoyable experience.
“I am loving it,” she said.
“I have always played it myself, but last year was my first year (as coach).”
The senior championships will be contested over two days, starting on Saturday and concluding with the grand final late Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, juniors will compete across three days, with strong representation from the Mid South East in those divisions.
As excitement builds for the championships, the rising costs of such enterprises has been taken into consideration by the association.
As such, an auction has been started with funds contributing towards the costs involved in travel and accommodation for players and their families.
“The cost of Country Championships these days is huge,” Ross said.
“It costs us about $8500 just for accommodation.
“We are trying an auction for the week just so parents don’t have to fork out any more money.”
The auction launched on the Mid South East Netball Association Facebook page on Wednesday and will run for a week, concluding on Wednesday June 14 at 7pm.
MSENA Senior team
Demi Carter (Robe), Abbey Duncan (Kalangadoo), Annie Regnier (Robe), Lara Munro (Kalangadoo), Ebony McDiarmid (Kalangadoo), Laura Schultz (Mount Burr), Alana Berkefeld (Port MacDonnell), Tayla Rowe (Tantanoola), Demi Vanderhorst (Hatherleigh), Reserves: Kori Collins (Port MacDonnell), Elly Redden (Hatherleigh), Maddie Gamble Mount Burr).
