Netball indoors: new league fills the gap

GEELONG’s newest sporting competition is already finding its feet, with the Geelong Barwon Netball League launching its inaugural season last month.

The senior women’s indoor competition is the result of a partnership between Geelong United Basketball and AFL Barwon.

Matches are played weekly at Grovedale College through to August, offering a new platform for local netballers to compete indoors.

Geelong United Basketball general manager of community Emily Todorov said the concept emerged from chief executive Mark Neeld’s crossover with AFL Barwon through his role as senior coach at South Barwon.

“He found a gap in opportunity for indoor netball,” Todorov said.

Seven teams have entered the inaugural season, with Todorov saying early consistency has been encouraging following shorter pilot-style competitions that helped bring the concept to life.

She said there was clear scope for growth, particularly with new indoor venues planned for Armstrong Creek and Waurn Ponds.

“Once we have the new venues open, we’ll hopefully grow again and then be able to expand into potentially having some indoor junior competition for the young girls and down the track, maybe mixed,” Todorov said.

“But at the moment our focus is for the female participation.”

Todorov said the partnership between the two organisations had quickly proven its value, particularly in strengthening opportunities for women in sport.

“It’s great that everyone’s jumping on the female participation and trying to embrace female sport in the region,” she said.