Narrabri Netball Association representative teams line up at the 2024 Senior State Titles

Narrabri Netball Association was represented by three teams at this year’s Netball NSW Senior State Titles in Camden, with local players lining up in under-15s division four, under-17s division four and opens division three.

The annual event is one of the most highly-anticipated for many players and officials, and NNA president and under-17s team coach Kerry Crutcher said that the three teams had a blast across the long weekend.

“It was a really good weekend,” Crutcher said.

“We were a bit worried about the rain at the start. It rained the Friday night when we first arrived, but it managed to clear up and it turned out to be a pleasant weekend.

“We all stayed at the same venue and we tried to watch and support each other, but conflicting times made that difficult.

“I think Camden is one of the best, probably the best State Titles venue I’ve been to.”

Narrabri Netball Association’s 2024 Netball NSW State Titles opens team – back, Natasha Sherrif, Pyper-Rae Wagstaff, Hannah Hall, Rebecca Mugridge, Emily Gardiner, front, Penny Towns, Bree Smith, Britney and Cortney Francisco and Lara Sunderland. Photos: Narrabri Netball Association Narrabri Netball Association’s 2024 Netball NSW State Titles opens team – back, Natasha Sherrif, Pyper-Rae Wagstaff, Hannah Hall, Rebecca Mugridge, Emily Gardiner, front, Penny Towns, Bree Smith, Britney and Cortney Francisco and Lara Sunderland. Photos: Narrabri Netball Association

Narrabri Netball Association’s 2024 Netball NSW State Titles under-17s team – back, Matilda Currey, Callie Lawler, Josie Harvey, Summer Fernance, front, Bella Suckling, Maxine O’Connor, Megan Crutcher, Juliet Maxwell and Brittney Schwager. Narrabri Netball Association’s 2024 Netball NSW State Titles under-17s team – back, Matilda Currey, Callie Lawler, Josie Harvey, Summer Fernance, front, Bella Suckling, Maxine O’Connor, Megan Crutcher, Juliet Maxwell and Brittney Schwager.

Narrabri Netball Association’s 2024 Netball NSW State Titles under-15s team – back, Maya Watson, Bella Bakhuis, Martha Barton, Georgia Herden, front, Lily Bartz, Holly Anderson, Beth Farris, Meg Cooper and Tilly Gleeson. Narrabri Netball Association’s 2024 Netball NSW State Titles under-15s team – back, Maya Watson, Bella Bakhuis, Martha Barton, Georgia Herden, front, Lily Bartz, Holly Anderson, Beth Farris, Meg Cooper and Tilly Gleeson.

The under-17s were Narrabri’s most successful team at the event as they finished eighth on a 19-team ladder following 12 wins and six losses. They ended up three wins behind champions, Port Stephens, who had 15 wins and three losses.

The NNA side played seven games on Saturday. They lost their first two but then bounced back in style to win four of their following five to end the day on a huge high. They took that momentum into Sunday as they won their first three games, but they then went down in their final two. They played six games on the third and final day on Monday and won five of those to end the tournament on a huge high.

Crutcher said that she was proud of what she described as a great group of young girls who she has had the pleasure of coaching or watching for the past five years.

“They had a really good weekend,” Crutcher said.

“A few of our losses were well within reach. The first game against Temora, we only lost by four and they ended up finishing second.

“Everyone played pretty consistently and we were definitely right up there with a chance.

“I’m definitely proud of them and a bit emotional because I’ve coached quite a few of them or have watched them come through for the past five or six years. They are all at the end of that age bracket now except for three of the younger ones who can play 17s again next year.”

The opens team placed 10th on the 19-team ladder following eight wins, nine losses and a draw.

They prevailed in their first game and ended the first day on Saturday having won three and lost three. They then played six more games on Sunday, again winning three and losing three, and they played six more on Monday, two of which they won to go with a draw and three losses. It was a memorable tournament for the side that included two opens debutants in Bridie Russell and Lara Sunderland, who have both come through the junior teams in recent years and both impressed across the long weekend.

Crutcher was pleased with how they all performed across the three days.

“We weren’t sure how they were going to go,” she said.

“We had one player unfortunately have to withdraw at the last minute through work commitments, which was unforeseen. We scrambled and picked up another couple of players and had 11 in the end.

“They were competitive and some of their losses were so close as well.

“We had some experienced players there and some young ones as well, and it was really good for those younger ones to get experience at the opens level.”

The under-15s team finished 17th on their 17-team ladder after going through the weekend without a win. However, they managed to gain some valuable experience and will certainly be back stronger in 2025.

“It was a mix of 14s and 15s in that team and for some of them it was their first year playing rep,” Crutcher said.

“We wanted to give those girls the chance to experience it.

“They also had some close games and they lost a couple of them by one point. It was unfortunate that they didn’t quite get a win but they were close.

“They had a lot of fun, and (coach) Linda (Croker) has done a very good job of pulling them all together. They are at different schools and they’re part of different friendship groups, but she really pulled them together and they had a good time.”

Crutcher thanked the NNA’s 2024 rep convenor Lisa Currey, the team coaches and managers, the NNA life members and parents who travelled to Camden and the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association who provided NNA with umpires for the weekend, as well as all the players who travelled to compete.