Narrabri Netball Association names open representative team for the 2026 season

Narrabri Netball Association will field an open representative team in 2026, and the 10 players that were named this week will kick-start their preparations for the fast-approaching campaign next week.

Trials were held at the Bev Burrows Courts last week ahead of what is expected to be a busy season, which will include Netball NSW’s North West Regional League tournament at Tamworth Sportsdome next month, the Senior State Titles across the June long weekend, and plenty of rep carnivals in between.

The team that was named on Sunday includes Adison Hartog-Smith, Mackenzie and Rya Knox, Chloe Hope, Callie Lawler, Charlotte Penberthy, Bridie Russell, Alissa van Klooster, Molly Welsh and Taneika Cochrane, and it will be coached by Sharlee Bruce.

Narrabri Netball Association’s president Nikki Connole told The Courier that the committee were thrilled to once again have a rep team to represent the town.

“We’re incredibly excited to have an opens team this year,” she said.

“It’s an amazing mix of youth and experience in that team.

“We had 16 nominate, which was really good.

“There are a couple of younger girls in there. We didn’t get a 17s team this year.

“First up for them is the Regional League in Tamworth at the end of next month, and their training will start next week on Tuesday. They will be training Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“Sharlee is very excited to work with them.”

Narrabri Netball Association also announced that Chloe Hope had taken on the role of umpire convenor for the 2026 season, while three of the junior rep teams’ managers have been named, with Bernadette Melton to look after the 12s, Karlee Hatton to look after the 13s, and Bec Crutcher to look after the 14s.

Rep training commenced this week for those teams and the under-15s, and their first carnival of the year will be held in Dubbo on Sunday, March 15.

NNA also has an under-11/12 development in 2026, which will travel with the rep teams to play at carnivals throughout the year but will not play at the Junior State Titles in July.