Two down, one step to go in championships quest for BFNL

THE BFNL’s 17-and-under representative team is hoping to be at full-strength for this weekend’s Association Championships Northern Zone Qualifying Tournament in Bendigo.

Undefeated in two lead-up tournaments in Echuca and Bendigo, the BFNL have had to contend with players missing due to injuries and other commitments.

But that has not stopped the team from notching up 21 consecutive wins and a pair of impressive title wins.

They will look to extend their winning run at the Northern Zone qualifiers at Red Energy Arena this Sunday.

The top two teams from the tournament will go on to represent the region in the Association Championships Finals against 10 other teams at the State Netball Centre on 29 June.

Co-coaches Sharni McPherson and Alison Leech could not be happier with the team’s progress through the first two tournaments.

“The girls are coming together nicely,” McPherson said.

“We had injuries again in Bendigo, so we haven’t played with a full squad yet, which is exciting.

“It’s great that one of our training partners (Peyton Chambers) has been able to come in and do a great job.

“The girls have gelled nicely and felt that they played better netball (at the CVNA tournament).

“There is always room for improvement and areas we want to keep working on and we identify that after each game.

“But the goal always is to keep improving and to keep developing the girls’ netball knowledge and skill-set.

“An aim is to have these girls trialing for Bendigo Strikers at the end of the year.”

The team’s Central Victorian Netball Association (CVNA) Tournament win capped a big week for three team members – Rachael Flood, Larni Taylor, Tegan McKay – who represented their school at the annual Marist Netball Carnival in Adelaide.

Unfortunately, Flood was injured in Adelaide and missed the CVNA tournament.

More a midcourter these days, Golden Square’s Juliet Hogan spent time back in defence during the weekend with good effect.

Toughest opposition this weekend will likely come from Wimmera and Rochester, the BFNL’s respective finals opponent in the CVNA and Echuca District tournaments.

McPherson said an exciting representative campaign to date had come with the full support of the BFNL’s band of 17-and-under club coaches.

“They have been so supportive of the girls and the program in making sure our goals are ready to go for massive tournament days and managing their playing loads,” she said.

“Alison and I cannot thank them enough.

“This representative netball is very important, but so is their Saturday netball.

“We want them to play finals and be part of their teams, so it’s important we find that balance.”