netball
NETBALL Victoria’s Regional State League competition returns tomorrow night.
The Eastern Regional State League has seen growth across the divisions despite the withdrawal of last year’s runners up Mid Gippsland.
Alberton Football Netball League will be the team to beat in the open division after an undefeated campaign last season culminating in victory at the Champions Challenge for the second year in a row over the other Regional State League premiers.
Leonnie McCluskey will take the reins of Alberton’s open team this year as 2014 coach Cath Chester steps down.
The 17 and Under division has been bolstered by the inclusion of Pakenham Netball Association and the return of last year’s winner Alberton.
“The Regional State League competition provides its players, coaches, umpires and officials with the best possible development pathways with a strong emphasis on talent identification, umpire badging and coach development. It really focuses on the broader spectrum of netball,” Netball Victoria Eastern Region Development Manager Judi Buhagiar said.
North Gippsland’s open division coach Rachel Patterson has made a comeback to elite coaching after her role as assistant coach in the Eastern Zone Academy in 2013.
“The NGFNL open team has been training since December with the girls continuing their hard work over the Christmas break,” Patterson said.
“We have a relatively young side but it is good to see the enthusiasm the girls have towards playing and working with each other.”
The 15 and Under competition, hosted by Sale Netball Association, has gained momentum since its pilot in 2014 and will feature eight teams this year, up from five.
The competition will kick off of at the Churchill Leisure Centre tomorrow.
2015 Eastern Regional State League Teams
Open
Morwell Indoor Netball Association Navy
Morwell Indoor Netball Association Red
Alberton Football Netball League
North Gippsland Football Netball League
Gippsland League Netball
17 & Under
Alberton Football Netball League
Mid Gippsland Netball Association
North Gippsland Football Netball League
Sale Netball Association
East Gippsland Football Netball League
Gippsland League Netball
Pakenham Netball Association
15 & Under
Traralgon Netball Association 1
Traralgon Netball Association 2
Sale Netball Association 1
Sale Netball Association 2
East Gippsland Football Netball League
Mid Gippsland Netball Association
Gippsland League Netball
North Gippsland Football Netball League
