Kiama netball’s magnificent nine

Before a ball had been thrown in the State Championships last weekend, the 21 years Kiama representative team knew they were behind the eight ball.

With Netball New South Wales changing their minds and not having a second division, this team was thrown headlong into the Championship Division.

Undaunted, the team headed to Berkeley for the gruelling three days of top class netball.

The normal number of team members is 10 but when one member pulled out they were left to fend with nine.

To take on the cream of netball teams from all over the State, especially from the big Sydney Associations, is in itself a big ask, but to play 21 games over a three day period with a depleted team meant that each girl had to play more games than usual.

The first day saw two team members, Tegan Wright and Melissa Harrison, suffer serious injuries, but they refused to give in and played on with great support from their team mates, to really shine and cover themselves in glory.

The second day saw the team finally lose Mel to concussion and then there were eight, who played over and above all expectations, winning the games they expected to win and coming close in others.

On the last day of competition they were down to seven as Alicia Prytherch sustained an ankle injury and had to withdraw. Talent not previously shown or known now started to show through as playing positions had to be changed to accommodate exhausted bodies that could not be rested.

Huge congratulations are in order for the entire nine players who played on so valiantly under extreme adversities.

Team members were, Lucy Alliston, Cassie Brien, AJ Forrest, Melissa Harrison, Tegan Ogle, Abbie Oliver, Alicia Prytherch, Alexis Smith and Tegan Wright, who, when the chips were down, rose to the occasion and played brilliant, tough netball. Your coach, manager, parents, supporters and most of all, the Kiama Netball Association are proud of each and every one of you.

Your tenacity and your never say die attitude is applauded.