Netball season cancelled as restrictions return

Torquay fielded 15 junior netball teams despite the unique circumstances. Photo: PETER MARSHALL

Despite playing their final game at the weekend due to the reintroduction of Stage 3 restrictions, junior netballers enjoyed a short-lived 2020 season.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced on Tuesday that the Surf Coast Shire would enter tighter restrictions, resulting in AFL Barwon cancelling winter junior sport competitions.

Torquay Netball Club president Meagan Mifsud said while returning to play had been a difficult decision, she believed it had been worthwhile.

“I probably was a little bit hesitant initially, so I spoke to a few parents here and there just to get their take on where their kids were at and were their kids looking forward to training if they were able to. They all seemed pretty keen. Some kids aren’t as motivated as others, so I think to have the structure of netball training to come to get kids out of the house after school.

“I reflect back on it, we had six weeks of training and three weeks of matches, and the kids seemed to enjoy it, which is ultimately why we do what we do.

“It was short-lived, but it was good, and I think all the coaches seemed to have enjoyed themselves and had that great interaction with the kids.”

The first two games of the season had been grading matches, meaning the weekend was the first-round teams played in their newly allocated divisions.

Despite some good performances, no Surf Coast sides qualified for Division 1 in the Under 17 age category.

In Under 17 Division 2, Torquay Jacobsen defeated Portarlington Blue 23-16.

Division 4 saw Torquay Scott gave a similarly strong performance to defeat Drysdale 21-14, while Modewarre were defeated by Giants Charcoal 12-17.

In Division 5 Surf Coast Suns Juc lost to Ocean Grove Birch 6-19, while Torquay Scott defeated Portarlington Red 24-8.

Mifsud praised those who had ensured the players had been able to enjoy some game-time.

“It was quite a massive amount of work, my committee and the coaches were absolutely fantastic and amazing, in particular, our vice president Sarah Clark.”