Biggest netball year yet

THIS year’s Kiama Netball Association (KNA) competition is set to be the biggest on record – which is fitting given it is also the 20th season since the local group affiliated with Netball NSW.

The 2008 season starts this Saturday but players have already been busy with trials for Kiama’s six representative sides (see below).

A record 81 teams (up from 77 in 2007) will play this year, which translates to 740 players from Fun Net (5-7) up to senior grades.

A further 100 parents are involved as umpires, coaches and officials.

Gainsborough (19 teams) is Kiama’s biggest club, followed by Beachettes (15), Kiama Central (14), Kiama Downs (11), Gerringong and Werri Beach (eight each) and Berry (six).

KNA was established by Val Brunker (whose name graces the Kiama Leisure Centre courts) in 1985.

Games started in 1986 before NSW affiliation in 1988. In 1989 Kiama sent its first representative teams to championships.

KNA is also celebrating because it has secured sponsorship from Kiama Medical Centre, Synergy Beauty Therapy, JD’s Haircare and Priceline Kiama.

The sponsorship from these businesses is appreciated and KNA thanks them for their help.

However, KNA is looking for more sponsors as the girls have to pay for their own uniforms, buses and accommodation and this usually amounts to between $300 to $500 for each player.

Teams usually fundraise to try to offset the costs involved.

This year Priceline Kiama have been generous and are providing a number of vouchers that the girls can use to raffle as well as sponsoring two of their teams by paying for their warm up shirts (around $500 worth).

Visit [www.kiamanetball.com.au] for more information about the KNA.

If you would like to sponsor a representative side or Kiama Netball Association in general please contact the association treasurer Kerren Britton on 0417 245 938 or the secretary Rhoda Beedles on 4237 8246.

Meanwhile, Kiama Netball Association has named its sides for the 2008 representative season.

All of the representative sides will play in a number of Sydney Carnivals in preparation for State Championships. The under 17s and under 21s will play at Baulkam Hills from June 7-9.

Many of Kiama’s 2007 State Championship-winning under 15s side will play under 17s this season.

Kiama’s under 12, 13, 14 and 15 sides will play at Maitland from July 5-7 and the under 14s team finished as runners-up at the 2007 State Championship at Berkeley.

The teams are:

12 Years: Sevgi Murphy, Kailee Cross, Kirralee Cross, Erin Chard, Brittany Bugden, Riley Tomlinson, Romy Bradmore, Cassie Wallace, Alana Smith and Larni Cowgill.

13 Years: Zoe Wulff, Nicola Downing, Osha East, Emily Robinson, Stephanie Swain, Emily Forrest, Jordanna McLeod, Caitlin Wallner, Elle Innes and Alana Glasson.

14 Years: Rhiannan Dawson, Amelia Alliston, Pippa Sheridan, Danielle Dignam, Emily Edwards, Rachel Gillespie, Bessie Nash, Hannah Lucas, Chelsea Thompson and Amanda Mellor.

15 Years: Phoebe Benney, Freya Jansen, Maggie Butler, Olivia Wallace, Sheridan Jones, Renate Kunz, Nikaela Joyce, Chleo Dye, Kate Allen and Kimberly Uren.

Under 17 Years: Stephanie Coslovich, Sarah Dowling, Emma Ford, Kendall Hume, Jane Sinclair, Michelle Shirlaw, Elizabeth McGee, Rosie Whitford, Stefanie Simnadis and Lara Robertson.

Under 21 Years: Lucy Alliston, Cassie Brien, Jade Castle, Lauren Dempsey, Ashling Keating, Tegan Wright, Abbie Oliver, Kate Malise, Lara Hindmarsh, Yolanda Forsyth and Hayley Wilson.