Success at Great Southern Regional Championships for two Albany Netball Association teams

Albany Netball Association claimed two of the six titles on offer at the Great Southern Regional Championships held at the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre at the weekend. The carnival attracted 35 teams across the divisions consisting of players from Narrogin, Katanning, Esperance, Melville, Ongerup, Kojonup, Denmark and Albany. Teams played qualifying fixtures on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning before the grand finals on Sunday determined the winners of each division. Two Albany squads won their respective grand finals with the 12-and-under and 14-and-under teams tasting championship glory. In the 12-and-under decider, Albany Green dominated proceedings, getting on top of Esperance 36-16 to win the gold medal. In the 14-and-under grand final, Albany Green and Albany Gold squared off for bragging rights but it was Albany Green that conquered their counterparts. In the 16-and-under divisions, Melville emerged victorious in their grand final against Esperance, 33-24. Albany Green fought valiantly against Narrogin 1 in the 18-and-under grand final but ultimately went down 17-30. Albany Green and Albany Gold both finished in fourth and fifth place, respectively, in the open division one competition with Esperance claiming the title after beating Ongerup in the decider, 56-36. Katanning defeated Kojonup in open division two grand final, scoring a comfortable 56-36 triumph. In the other awards from the championships, the volunteer of the year award was won by Albany Netball Association’s Rosemary Wolter. Coach of the meet was Denmark’s Kelly Judd and the rising star coach was Kym Quartermaine from Albany. Katanning were the best-dressed association and the sportsmanship award went to Denmark’s Cheyenne Pattinson. Denmark’s Amber Nekel was the umpire of the meet and Jess Suttar from Esperance was awarded the rising star umpire award.