Wheatbelt Netball Academy: (Back) Maria Taylor, Adele Simmons, Jasmine Davies, Jayme Harken, Lexie Morris, Gemma Boxall, Casey Abel, Gracie Clune, Paige Northey, Emma Fewster, Jessica Reid, Carrie Taylor, Madison Fitzgerald-McIntosh, Daniel Kirkup, John Mulrennan, (middle) Amy Castaing, Breanna Mulrennan, Kendelle Robbins, Emma Tromp, Maddy Petchell, Katelyn Northey, (front) Morgann Tranter, Justine O’Donnell, Taylor Ferguson, Hayley Slater, Jordi Allardyce Madison Hunter and Emily Drakeford. Jennifer Chivers is absent from the photo.
UNDER the guidance of Wheatbelt Netball Region regional development officer, Adele Simmons, two teams of under-17 girls participated in the Academy Cup competition held at Arena Joondalup on October 5, 6 and 7.
The Regional Academy aims to develop talented athletes from each of the 11 netball regions throughout Western Australia for them to make the transition into Netball WA State Academy, State Team Programs, State Netball League, Department of Sport and Recreation Regional Talent Development Program and Region Academies of Sport.
Sixty three girls tried out for a position in the under 17 Wheatbelt Academy Squad which commenced in June.
There were 33 girls selected for the squad and put through a series of trainings and games held in Northam and Regional Carnivals held at Matthews Stadium, Wembley and Ray Owen Centre in Lesmurdie until the final selection was made in late September when two teams of 12 were selected.
Three days leading up to the competition, the squad together with coaches and support staff attended a camp at Gloucester Lodge at Yanchep National Park in preparation for the competition.
At the camp, team bonding and player development were the focus.
Mukinbudin girl Gracie Clune and Quairading girl Jennifer Chivers made the division one team which was coached by Maria Taylor and Dan Kirkup and managed by Dee Harken and the scorer John Mulrennan.
The girls won four out of their 10 games, dropping some of their games by only one or two goals.
Bencubbin girl Morgann Tranter was the captain in the division two team, which also saw Madison Fitzgerald-McIntosh (Kellerberrin), Justine O’Donnell (Mukinbudin), Gemma Boxall (Kondinin) and Emily Drakeford (Merredin) earn a spot on the team.
Division two was coached by Jaz Davies, and the girls won sic out of their 10 games for the weekend.
Team manager was Jo Hunter and scorer was Tracey Tranter.
Both division one and two coaches were assisted on the weekend by Adele Simmons, Donna Webb and Kathy Hart.
At the end of the weekend, All Stars were announced from each team.
Casey Abel (Northam) was selected from division one and Madison Fitzgerald-McIntosh (Kellerberrin) from division two.
