Narrabri Netball Association teams travel to Dubbo for first carnival of the year

Narrabri Netball Association’s junior rep teams took the court for the first time this year when they travelled to compete at the Dubbo Netball Association’s 2026 carnival on Sunday.

The NNA’s under-12s, 13s, 14s and 15s teams were all in action at the event, as was the under-11/12 development team.

The under-12s division was split up into two pools, the first of which was taken out by NNA’s champion under-12 team.

They went through the day undefeated, having won all seven of their matches.

The Narrabri under-14s team won four of their six matches to place second on the five-team ladder, and the under-13s and under-15s sides both scored wins at the event to earn respective mid-table finishes.

The under-11/12 development team got the chance to play against both development sides and rep teams, giving them valuable experience moving forward.

NNA president Nikki Connole told The Courier that it was an enjoyable day in Dubbo, and that the NNA players represented themselves and their association positively.

Connole also thanked the umpires who looked after the NNA duties on the day, including Lisa Currey (under-15s), Fiona Redfern (under-14s), Chloe Hope (under-13s), Cindy Anderson (under-12s), and Melissa Alaban from Coonabarabran (under-11/12 development).

NNA’s senior side sat out the Dubbo carnival as they continue preparations for the 2026 North West Regional League weekend in Tamworth on Saturday and Sunday, March 28 and 29.

Meanwhile, seven of the NNA’s Indigenous players were also in action in Dubbo on Saturday for a First Nations Camp.

They were selected for that camp from their performances at Koori Netball tournaments in Tamworth and Newcastle last year.

On Saturday, they completed intense training and skills, focused on building friendships, and looked into pathways for Indigenous players.

Narrabri Netball Association’s 2026 season will get underway on Saturday, May 2, and its 2026 carnival will be held on Sunday, August 9.

Narrabri Netball Association’s champion undefeated under-12s team pictured at Dubbo Netball Association carnival on Sunday - Alexis Bartz, Leigh Otto, Casey Lamb, Florence Melton, Natalie Anderson, Ava Hall, Naiya Cochrane, Laycey Maxwell and Tabitha Shearer. Photos: NNA Narrabri Netball Association’s champion undefeated under-12s team pictured at Dubbo Netball Association carnival on Sunday - Alexis Bartz, Leigh Otto, Casey Lamb, Florence Melton, Natalie Anderson, Ava Hall, Naiya Cochrane, Laycey Maxwell and Tabitha Shearer. Photos: NNA

Under-11/12s development team - back, Indie Jobson, Ellie Maxwell, Sophia Kneller, Shay Fernance, Maggie Powell, front Phoebe Willis, Josie Dewar, Addison Lamb and Annabel Kennedy. Under-11/12s development team - back, Indie Jobson, Ellie Maxwell, Sophia Kneller, Shay Fernance, Maggie Powell, front Phoebe Willis, Josie Dewar, Addison Lamb and Annabel Kennedy.

Under-13s - back, Kaidence Stanford, Angel Stanford, Indi Clayton, Marley Cunningham, Lacey Harris, Elise Harris, front, Mia McConnell, Ebonie Hatton, Hailee Orman, Savannah Lawler and Makaylie Mason. Under-13s - back, Kaidence Stanford, Angel Stanford, Indi Clayton, Marley Cunningham, Lacey Harris, Elise Harris, front, Mia McConnell, Ebonie Hatton, Hailee Orman, Savannah Lawler and Makaylie Mason.

Under-14s - back Memphis Pennines, Mya Mason, Edee Towns, Sophie Crutcher, front Celia Galagher, Harla McManus, Grace Flynn and Maddison Connole. Under-14s - back Memphis Pennines, Mya Mason, Edee Towns, Sophie Crutcher, front Celia Galagher, Harla McManus, Grace Flynn and Maddison Connole.

Under-15s - back, Maecee Smith, Ruby Currey, Layla Hamilton, Jedda Cochrane, front Lexie Fernance, Cadence Anderson, Tara Gallagher, Demi-Renee Cruickshank and Elsie Barton. Under-15s - back, Maecee Smith, Ruby Currey, Layla Hamilton, Jedda Cochrane, front Lexie Fernance, Cadence Anderson, Tara Gallagher, Demi-Renee Cruickshank and Elsie Barton.

First Nations camp participants - back, Ellani French, Janarli Dixon, Mya Mason, Makaylie Mason, Casey Lamb, front, Addison Lamb and Savannah Lawler. First Nations camp participants - back, Ellani French, Janarli Dixon, Mya Mason, Makaylie Mason, Casey Lamb, front, Addison Lamb and Savannah Lawler.