![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2025\/07\/Panthers2_77101.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
“They put balloons up to run through, and they announced the girls onto the court, a bit like Suncorp Super Netball,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It really made the girls excited and happy. It was such a wonderful thing they do for them.”<\/p>\n
An even bigger thrill for the Panthers was a special pre-game video message for them from star Melbourne Vixens and Australian Diamonds goaler Kiera Austin, organised by their coach.<\/p>\n
As their bold showing proved, the girls heeded Austin’s advice on not being overawed by the occasion.<\/p>\n
“Congratulations for making a grand final in your first ever season of playing netball,” she said.<\/p>\n
“You hadn’t played with each other until 13 weeks ago, so to make a grand final experience is just such an epic achievement and something you should all be so, so proud of.<\/p>\n
“Grand finals are very hard to come by, so don’t let the occasion overwhelm anyone.<\/p>\n
“Don’t worry about the outcome, focus on the process. Really strong drives from passes, encouraging each other and getting around each other the whole time.”<\/p>\n
Ms Bamford hoped sharing the Pink Panthers’ feel-good story would encourage more young girls and boys to take up netball, starting with the NetSetGo program.<\/p>\n
“It’s great to see the young aspiring netballers out there having fun \u2013 and it’s relatively inexpensive too,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Sport can cost a fortune, but NetSetGo is a great activity to do with their friends.<\/p>\n
“It’s open to boys as well. We’d love to get some boys involved.<\/p>\n
For more details on NetSetGo, visit bmna.com.au. More sport from page 21.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IT was not quite a fairytale ending, but for eight young Pink Panthers players, their first season together in the Bacchus Marsh Netball Association was still nothing short of inspiring. After riding a wave momentum late in the autumn season, Pink Panthers played off in last Monday’s section three juniors grand final against Darley Little […]<\/p>\n