Cougars appreciate support from Torquay netball community

GEELONG Cougars are hoping to draw a big crowd when they come to Torquay for their one-off Victorian Netball League (VNL) fixture this Sunday, March 23.

The championship-level team will be looking to continue their winning ways against Melbourne University in Round 2 after recording a 14-goal win over the Southern Saints last weekend.

Geelong Netball Club president Darren Hellmann explained why the Cougars would be playing at Wurdi Baierr Stadium.

“It’s really the only venue suitable for us as a home venue to host a VNL game. We’d rather play at a stadium in Geelong, but the lack of a suitable stadium necessitates us going to Wurdi Baierr in Torquay,” he said.

“It’s not ideal but it’s a good stadium and been good for us, so we just make the best of that opportunity.”

The Cougars otherwise play most Wednesdays at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne.

Hellmann is confident there will be a good turnout on Sunday, and invited the community to come along.

“Most of our athletes are local girls who have come up through Geelong football/netball, which is why we get such great support from the local netball community because these girls have been in the system for a long time,” he said.

The netball will begin at 10.30am with a curtain-raiser exhibition match being played with the Geelong Flyers Junior Development Program.

This will be followed by a match between the Cougars and Melbourne University development squads and the under-23s.

The championship match starts at 3pm.