After an extensive consultation period with key netball stakeholders in the region, including member clubs, the league will introduce a 15 and under competition to complement the existing netball league.
Yarrawonga Football Netball Club (YFNC) Secretary and Netball Operations Vicky Long said the idea has been thrown around the league for half a decade with YFNC looking forward to seeing the interest in a younger grade and a closer affiliation with similar age football.
“It’s always been tough for families who have children playing to keep them together because we haven’t been able to offer them more grades,” Ms Long said.
“Other clubs have good association netball and have never really wanted to upset that equilibrium.
“The idea has been around the league for about five years now, but it wasn’t pushed until 2021 when advisory group meetings were formed to look at all the pros and cons of another grade.
“This will hopefully attract more families that have children playing both football and netball, however it does come with drawbacks.
“Another grade means we need more volunteers (another coach, umpire, gameday attendants etc), unfortunately something that is getting harder to find.
“We are hoping the girls that want to play excellent netball and learn from the vast experience of coaches that we currently have, will be a major drawcard.”
At the moment YFNC only has four girls that can qualify for the younger grade, but the club have shared the information locally to gauge the interest in town.
“We currently have four girls that would be eligible, but they will have to trial like everyone else and may be better off staying in the Under 17’s,” Ms Long said.
“We can only try and see though.”
League Chairman David Sinclair said the O&M are extremely pleased to be able to introduce a fifth grade of netball, in the form of a 15 and under competition, and provide a genuine pathway for netballers into the Senior grades.
"This is a result of an exhaustive consultation process with clubs over the last four years and they are to be congratulated on their willingness to overcome the hurdles that will see organic growth to an already formidable netball competition," Mr Sinclair said.
O&M Director and Netball Sub-Committee Chair, Tamara Matthews said following on from the success of the 17 and under competition, the OMFNL is committed to continuing the development of junior players in the region and providing them with a pathway to senior Ovens and Murray netball.
"It is an exciting opportunity for the league to develop connections with other sections of the community, and for the ten clubs to engage with junior players and their families at an earlier stage of their netball journey,” Ms Matthews said.
Pre-trial selections for the Pigeons Under 15s will be held before Christmas with more details to follow, however you can now register your interest through the YFNC Facebook page or by emailing info@yfnc.com.au.
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