Regions best emerging and talented players, umpires and coaches compete for cup against best in the State

The Great Southern’s best emerging and talented players, umpires and coaches had the opportunity to showcase their skills at the 2021 Netball WA State Cup held earlier this month in Perth.

Albany, Denmark, Esperance, Katanning, Kojonup, Narrogin and Districts and Ongerup associations all represented the Great Southern at the prestigious event on October 8-10.

Players were identified at the Great Southern Regional Championships in Albany in July and August and named in Great Southern regional academy squads.

Squad members were invited to attend two hub days in Katanning, where high-level coaching and team selections for the State Cup were held.

State Cup team members and reserves attended a final training day in Albany on September 12.

Great Southern entered four teams at the State Cup competing against regional areas North West, South West, Wheatbelt-Goldfields, Mid West Gascoyne and Peel along with nine metro teams that were in the 2021 Origin Metro League and won a place at State Cup.

Two Aboriginal all-stars teams also competed at the event.

The Great Southern’s open division side finished third out of six teams after one win from five games and made it through on percentage for the third and fourth play-off, which they won to end up third overall.

The 14-and-under side finished fourth in their pool of seven teams after three wins and three losses.

They won their play-off final in the pools crossover and finished seventh out of 13 teams across the two pools.

The 18-and-under side notched two wins from six games to finish fifth of the seven competing sides.

The 16-and-under side finished sixth in their pool of seven teams after one win, one draw and four losses and ended up 11th out of 13 teams for the two pools combined.

Two Great Southern umpires were awarded their National B Badge at the State Cup, Megan Henry from Narrogin and Districts Netball Association and Sarah Bridge from Esperance Netball Association.

Albany Netball Association’s Devon Proudfoot was awarded the Emerging Talent Umpiring Award.