Narrabri Netball Association hosts grand final day at the Bev Burrows Courts | PHOTOS

The sun came out to play on Saturday and so did the local netballers as the Narrabri Netball Association’s 2024 campaign grand final day was held at the Bev Burrows Courts.

The action was fierce and fast across the warm day as five champions claimed their respective premierships.

This year’s A-grade champions are Flames, a Wee Waa team that was able to take down the two-time defending major premiers and three-time minor premiers, Tourist Tornadoes, in a one-goal thriller. Flames defeated Tourist 30-29 in the final game of the day to wrap it up in style.

The four other champions were the Valley Vixens (under-9/10), the Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds (under-11-13), the Agies Rural Renegades (B-grade)and the Pharmacy Ferns (A-reserve). They defeated the Wee Waa Bowling Club Swifts, C and W Firebirds, Hot Shots and Grubs, respectively.

Outgoing NNA president Kerry Crutcher played in the A-grade final and umpired two matches earlier in the day. She told The Courier that it was a successful day and the netball played was of a high standard.

“We were very happy with how the day went,” Crutcher said.

“Obviously it was a little bit warmer than we thought it would be, bringing it forward a couple of weeks to try and beat the heat. It didn’t quite work out that way, but it was manageable.

“The games were all very good. Some of the results weren’t so close, but the games themselves were close.

“The closest match was the A-grade final, which was exciting and really could have gone either way in the last couple of minutes of the game.”

Narrabri Netball Association's 2024 campaign A-grade competition grand final winners, Flames - Kerry Crutcher, Elsie Platt, Lauren Donoghue, Juliet Maxwell, Isabella Suckling, Matilda and Lisa Currey, Megan Crutcher, Rebecca Adele, Sara Warren and Brittney Schwager. Narrabri Netball Association's 2024 campaign A-grade competition grand final winners, Flames - Kerry Crutcher, Elsie Platt, Lauren Donoghue, Juliet Maxwell, Isabella Suckling, Matilda and Lisa Currey, Megan Crutcher, Rebecca Adele, Sara Warren and Brittney Schwager.

A-grade grand final runners-up, Tourist Tornadoes - Bridie Russell, Jardie Cutmore, Layne Parker, Demi Winter, Lara Sunderland, Breeana Smith, Clare Jensen and Tenika Bakhuis. A-grade grand final runners-up, Tourist Tornadoes - Bridie Russell, Jardie Cutmore, Layne Parker, Demi Winter, Lara Sunderland, Breeana Smith, Clare Jensen and Tenika Bakhuis.

Steph Stuart memorial trophy for NNA’s junior sportsperson of the year winner Megan Crutcher. Steph Stuart memorial trophy for NNA’s junior sportsperson of the year winner Megan Crutcher.

A-grade grand final player of the match Matilda Currey (Flames). A-grade grand final player of the match Matilda Currey (Flames).

Outgoing Narrabri Netball Association president Kerry Crutcher with the NNA’s 2024 season committee person of the year Lisa Currey. Outgoing Narrabri Netball Association president Kerry Crutcher with the NNA’s 2024 season committee person of the year Lisa Currey.

Lorna Gleeson and Jo Glazebrook umpired Narrabri Netball Association’s A-reserve and A-grade grand finals at the Bev Burrows Courts on Saturday. Photo: Bruce Malcolm Lorna Gleeson and Jo Glazebrook umpired Narrabri Netball Association’s A-reserve and A-grade grand finals at the Bev Burrows Courts on Saturday. Photo: Bruce Malcolm

Kate Bakhuis and Bianca Mace were thanked and congratulated for running the canteen. Kate Bakhuis and Bianca Mace were thanked and congratulated for running the canteen.

Flames duo Matilda Currey and Megan Crutcher celebrate their grand final victory. Flames duo Matilda Currey and Megan Crutcher celebrate their grand final victory.

A-reserve grand final winners, Pharmacy Ferns - back, Georgia Phelps, Bella Bakhuis, Sarah Gleeson, Kodey Stanford, Natalee Trow, Courtney Farrell, front, Charlotte and Claudia Penberthy, Cassidy Staines and Ella Tomlinson. A-reserve grand final winners, Pharmacy Ferns - back, Georgia Phelps, Bella Bakhuis, Sarah Gleeson, Kodey Stanford, Natalee Trow, Courtney Farrell, front, Charlotte and Claudia Penberthy, Cassidy Staines and Ella Tomlinson.

A-reserve grand final runners-up, Grubs - Annabelle Mackey, Angela and Britt Young, Joan O’Neill, Kate Wheeler, Molly Welsh, Michelle Wheeler, front, Sarah Leitch, Chelsea Wheeler, Clarissa Clifford, Clare Bollen, Fiona Redfern and Michelle O’Connor. A-reserve grand final runners-up, Grubs - Annabelle Mackey, Angela and Britt Young, Joan O’Neill, Kate Wheeler, Molly Welsh, Michelle Wheeler, front, Sarah Leitch, Chelsea Wheeler, Clarissa Clifford, Clare Bollen, Fiona Redfern and Michelle O’Connor.

A-reserve grand final player of the match Courtney Farrell (Pharmacy Ferns). A-reserve grand final player of the match Courtney Farrell (Pharmacy Ferns).

B-grade grand final runners-up, Hot Shots - back, Tilly Gleeson, Zara Watson, Holly Anderson, Elsie Campbell, front, Tess Redfern, Martha Barton, Maya Watson and Xanthe Kirk. B-grade grand final runners-up, Hot Shots - back, Tilly Gleeson, Zara Watson, Holly Anderson, Elsie Campbell, front, Tess Redfern, Martha Barton, Maya Watson and Xanthe Kirk.

B-grade grand final winners, Ages Rural Renegades - back, Phebe Hamblin, Hannah Hall, Layla Hamilton, Maecee Smith, front, Tara Galagher, Rachel Duggan, Demi-Renee Cruickshank and Penny Towns. B-grade grand final winners, Ages Rural Renegades - back, Phebe Hamblin, Hannah Hall, Layla Hamilton, Maecee Smith, front, Tara Galagher, Rachel Duggan, Demi-Renee Cruickshank and Penny Towns.

B-grade grand final player of the match Tara Galagher (Agies Rural Renegades). B-grade grand final player of the match Tara Galagher (Agies Rural Renegades).

Under-11-13 grand final winners, Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds - back, Molly Wilson, Lexie Horne, Sarah Coutts-Smith, Ebony Lehmann, Celia Galagher, front, Bill McMahon, Fred Ferris, Rachel Powell, Sophie Crutcher and Marlee Dewson. Under-11-13 grand final winners, Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds - back, Molly Wilson, Lexie Horne, Sarah Coutts-Smith, Ebony Lehmann, Celia Galagher, front, Bill McMahon, Fred Ferris, Rachel Powell, Sophie Crutcher and Marlee Dewson.

Under-11-13 grand final runners-up, C and W Firebirds - back, Quinn Towns, Demi-Renee Cruickshank, Edee Towns, Emma Dixon, Jamie Smith, front, Olivia and Macka Burnside, Nala Chin and Ebonie Hatton. Under-11-13 grand final runners-up, C and W Firebirds - back, Quinn Towns, Demi-Renee Cruickshank, Edee Towns, Emma Dixon, Jamie Smith, front, Olivia and Macka Burnside, Nala Chin and Ebonie Hatton.

Under-11-13 grand final player of the match Lexie Horne (Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds). Under-11-13 grand final player of the match Lexie Horne (Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds).

Under-9/10 grand final winners, Valley Vixens - back, John McMahon, Laycey Maxwell, Ava Hall, Ellie Maxwell, Maggie Powell, front, Ruby Head, Gracie Tully, Marnie Harris and Chloe Cameron. Under-9/10 grand final winners, Valley Vixens - back, John McMahon, Laycey Maxwell, Ava Hall, Ellie Maxwell, Maggie Powell, front, Ruby Head, Gracie Tully, Marnie Harris and Chloe Cameron.

Under-9/10 grand final runners-up, Wee Waa Bowling Club Swifts - back, Emma Simshauser, Florence Melton, Agatha Burke, Ella Wilson, front Ailani Binge, Tabitha Shearer, Alexis Bartz, Kaley Edwards and Kaia Gratsounas. Under-9/10 grand final runners-up, Wee Waa Bowling Club Swifts - back, Emma Simshauser, Florence Melton, Agatha Burke, Ella Wilson, front Ailani Binge, Tabitha Shearer, Alexis Bartz, Kaley Edwards and Kaia Gratsounas.

Under-9/10 grand final player of the match Ava Hall (Valley Vixens). Under-9/10 grand final player of the match Ava Hall (Valley Vixens).

There were plenty of trophies on offer on grand final day at the Bev Burrows Courts. There were plenty of trophies on offer on grand final day at the Bev Burrows Courts.

Crutcher was a part of the winning A-grade side, the Flames, and said it took a monumental effort to beat the defending champions and minor premiers.

“The girls were very determined to give it their best this year to try and win, although the Tornadoes are a formidable side and haven’t been defeated much in the last few years,” Crutcher said.

“That showed in how they played.

“I was very proud of our girls. We let the younger ones take the lead on the day. They played the majority of the game and we just interjected as they needed the rest.

“Our younger girls have come a long way since they started out as eight or nine-year-olds way back when.”

The Tornadoes claimed the upper hand in the A-grade decider early in the match and they entered quarter-time with a 10-8 lead. They then outscored Flames eight goals to four in the second term to go into half-time with a dominant 18-12 advantage.

Flames came out firing in the third quarter as they piled on 10 more goals and held the Tornadoes to two. That saw them lead 22-20 at the three-quarter-time break, and they were out in front 30-28 with about a minute to go before Tourist scored to make it a one-point ball game. The Tornadoes desperately tried to find the equalising goal that would send the match into overtime, but the final whistle sounded when they had just entered the goal circle and they fell agonisingly short, with the Flames holding on to win 30-29.

Matilda Currey played the entire game at goal defence for the Flames and was instrumental in the victory, which saw her named the player of the final by the NNA life members in attendance.

“She was really outstanding from the start to finish,” Crutcher said.

“We were behind all the way up until three-quarter-time, and her defence was keeping it close enough for us to sort out our attack and then get ahead in that third quarter.

“She deserved that award.”

The A-reserve final saw Pharmacy Ferns cruise to victory over the Grubs, however, both sides produced quality netball throughout the match.

The Ferns outscored the Grubs 12 goals to five in the first quarter and 12 goals to two in the second quarter to enter the half-time break ahead 24-7. Grubs had their best goal-scoring quarter of the contest in the third as they found the hoop eight times, but Ferns extended their lead by two as they scored 10 goals to start the fourth term with a 34-15 lead. Just as they did in the first quarter, Pharmacy Ferns outscored the Grubs 12 goals to five in the last to win the match 46-20.

The Ferns’ Courtney Farrell was exceptional in that game and was named player of the final.

The B-grade final was a tight contest at the quarter-time break as the Agies Rural Renegades led Hot Shots 8-6. The Renegades then opened up a bigger lead in the second quarter as they scored seven goals and kept Hot Shots scoreless to go into half-time with a 15-6 advantage.

Both teams scored four goals each in the third term as the Renegades took a 19-10 lead into the final break, and they then won the match 29-17 after outscoring Hot Shots 10 goals to seven in the fourth quarter.

Agies Rural Renegades player Tara Galagher was named the player of the final in that game.

The under-11-13 decider was also a close contest at quarter-time before the Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds ran away with it. They led the C and W Firebirds 5-3 at the first break, 9-3 at half-time and 14-5 at three-quarter-time before they outscored their opponents nine goals to three in the final term to win 23-8.

Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds player Lexie Horne was named player of the final in that game.

In the first game of the day, Valley Vixens led the Wee Waa Bowling Club Swifts 4-2 at quarter-time and then outscored them eight goals to one in the second quarter to enter half-time ahead 12-3.

The Vixens were up 19-8 at the final break and outscored the Swifts eight goals to five in the fourth quarter to earn a 27-13 victory.

Valley Vixens’ Ava Hall was named player of the final in that game.

As always, team white played a huge role this season and on grand final day. The grand final day umpires were Tracey Tomlinson and Kerry Crutcher (under-9/10), Fiona Redfern and Lisa Currey (under-11-13), Kerry Crutcher and Lisa Currey (B-grade), and Lorna Gleeson and Jo Glazebrook (A-reserve and A-grade).

There were presentations held on the day to recognise both team and individual brilliance this year.

A brand new perpetual trophy was donated by life member and former president Tracey Tomlinson, which is the Tracey Tomlinson junior umpire award. This year’s winner was Martha Barton.

The 11-13-years junior development awards were won by Vienna Eather and Indianna Clayton.

The Steph Stuart memorial trophy for junior sportsperson of the year was awarded to Flames’ Megan Crutcher.

The Helen Houguet memorial trophy for the junior team with the highest goal-scoring aggregate was the Namoi Cotton Thunderbirds, and the Margaret Illingworth memorial trophy for the senior team with the highest goal-scoring aggregate was Tourist Tornadoes.

This year’s NNA committee person of the year went to Lisa Currey.

Outgoing president Kerry Crutcher thanked fellow committee members and players as well as NNA’s sponsors and supporters for their support and dedication across the past 12 months during her time in the role. She has been a part of the committee for the past six years, serving as the representative convenor for three years prior to becoming the president and was also a general committee member before that.

“It has been a great committee to be a part of,” Crutcher said.

Hannah Hall has replaced Crutcher in the top role and currently leads a five-person executive committee that includes Lorna Gleeson (treasurer),
Renee Kneller (secretary), Ebonnie Whan (registrar) and Nikki Connole (rep convenor).

Executive committee positions that need to be filled are vice-president, competitions convenor, umpiring convenor and coaching convenor.

Crutcher said that there had been strong interest in the return of the twilight mixed competition in 2024, but for that to happen, those vacant committee positions would need to be filled.