The Douglas Junior Netball season proper started last Tuesday at Port Courts with lots of enthusiastic netballers ready to play and have fun.  

The Net Set Go girls turned up in record numbers and were trained by Alison Richardson and Michelle Teasdale. The girls are still learning the skills and will hopefully continue to play after their 10 week program.  

The 10/Under teams Beach Babes, coached by Aimee Watson, and the Young Stars, coached by Lou Broadley, took the court like seasoned performers and they played some great netball with all players having a fantastic time.

The 12/Under competition started with the Pythons playing the Diamonds. The game started with a bang and all the girls were fired up.

The Diamonds were stronger in all aspects showing their experience all over the court, but the Pythons had some shining moments with Hannah Durie and Jordan Scott keeping the girls in the game.

But the Diamonds' Kyah Francis, and Jasmine and Sophie Kirk shone to take the game by nearly 20 points.  Final score Diamonds 25 def. Pythons 7.

On Court 3 the Saints played Extreme and the Saints scored in the first couple of minutes. Extreme defended the ball well but unfortunately didn't find the ring.  

Everyone played well with the standouts Jenna Kerswell (best & fairest) and Ally Seibel (player's choice) from Extreme, and Jaime Thurtell (best & fairest) and Maddison Santarossa (player's choice) from Saints.  

Stella Burnett, Jayde Ilbery and Jay Heidke were the scorers for the Saints, Final score was 9 - 0.
 
The 14-16/Under competition started with Court 1 hosting the Young Guns 1 and Hot Shots and both teams had tight defence.

The Hot Shots are a new team this year and are beginning to gel well. Star players this week Robyn Bruening (player's choice) and Aleesah Viola.  The Young Guns 1 won convincingly 23-5 with both shooters, Piper Adams and Sasha Lowenstein-Jones, on fire with Ella Dodds receiving player's choice.  

The Strikers, looking great in their new dresses sponsored by Malone Painting, played the Young Guns 2. The Strikers meant business playing some very good netball and were a force for four quarters.

The Young Guns 2 will take a few games to gel as a team but showed some great play over the four quarters.  For the Strikers Lauren Radcliffe was awarded player's choice and for the Young Guns 2 team Jade Tate. The final score saw Strikers 30 def. Young guns 21.

It was great to see the Juniors start their season with lots of parents and volunteer staff supporting.  The canteen will be operating with healthy choice meals for the netballers and their families with a hot meal and a salad on offer each week. Smoothies, toasted sandwiches at very good prices.  

Thanks to all the coaches, umpires, team managers and support volunteers. Junior Netball cannot operate without you!