FRESH from their success at this year’s Netball NSW Senior and Junior State Championships, the Nelson Bay Netball Association have identified their junior talent for the 2024 version.

Some of the best young netballers in the Port Stephens region will line up for Nelson Bay at both prestigious State Carnivals to be staged in Sydney’s outer western suburbs.

Earlier this year the Bay girls brought home the NSW Division 3 senior and 12 years Division 4 State titles in a huge fillip for the district and aim to equal those feats again next season.

Nelson Bay’s 12yrs, 13yrs and 14yrs representative squads will compete at the HART State Junior Titles to be hosted by Penrith and Baulkham Hills Shire Associations from July 6-8 while the 15yrs outfit steps up to the State Senior Carnival at Campbelltown and Camden from June 8-10.

Experienced NBNA Representative Convenor Amanda Wilks told News Of The Area that the Bay girls “would again be competitive at the State Titles in 2024”.

“The representative program had 127 players trial recently which is our largest turnout in several years with plenty of quality on show,” Amanda stated.

“We have some exciting young talent sprinkled throughout our squads and they are keen to represent Nelson Bay in elite company,” she said.

“All the teams have commenced their preparations for the major carnivals next year, working on combinations and honing their on-court skills,” Amanda added.

Nelson Bay Netball’s 2024 junior representative squads are:

11 Years Development: Zahli Read, Macey Matthews, Emma Ward, Zara McCaull, Brynne Dagwell, Harlow Colley, Alaska Barrett, Maeve Lewis, Zayneab Akbal, Chelsea O’Loughlin; Coach: Ella Jones; Manager: Georgia Duffield.

12yrs: Mia Gambrill, Armani Howarth, Chelsea Grace, Skyla Barrett, Maebel Colley, Charlotte Clark, Maggie Feldman, Adalyn Wilson, Arabella Whaler; Coach: Linda Jones; Manager: Nicole Brady.

13yrs: Liberty Phillips, Sophie Edwards, Lilly Holliday, Millah Brown, Alyssa Schein, Kobie Clarke, Emma Tibbs, Ciara Cullen, Kaitlin Burgess; Coach: Taylah Whitty; Assistant Coach: Kerry Whitty; Manager: Jenny Withey.

14yrs: Lucy Solomon-James, Ella O’Loughlin, Georgia Burgess, Piper Mullins, Kiola Cheviot, Abigail Skinner, Hartley Cobb-Hamilton, Gabby McCallum, Tayla Provis; Head Coach: Amanda Wilks; Assistant Coach: Taylar Wilks; Manager: Michele Chadwick.

15yrs: Isla Foster, Chelsea Johnson, Melody Tibbs, Anneliese Jones, Poppy McGrath, Amber Redman, Charlize Vines, Charli Ball, Kate Slade, Sophia Akbal; Coach: Fiona McGrath; Assistant Coach: Ashlee Hall; Manager: Michelle Weber.

Nelson Bay Netball Grand Final winners for 2023 were:

JUNIORS (10-11yrs): White: All Stars 39 Rainbows 3; Yellow: Diamonds 29 Tsunami 28; INTERMEDIATE Blue: Bay Breakers 47 Bluebelles 39; Gold: Lava Girls 27 Sapphires 24; SENIORS Blue: Stellar Stars 41 Sarah’s Team 36; Gold: Chili Peppers 53 Quick Smarts 28.

Umpires’ Talented Player of Grand Final award recipients included Hartley Cobb-Hamilton (Sapphires), Bella Arnall, Olivia Sumner and Jade Britos.

By Chris KARAS