The gala day was the second Orange PCYC has hosted, and the event grew this year by almost 100 per cent on the 2014 edition with the kids enjoying skills sessions along with round-robin games throughout the day.

Twenty-three students from James Sheahan Catholic High School were also on hand to help out as coaches and umpires, which Netball NSW west/central west regional co-ordinator Mardi Aplin said was a vital part of the initiative.

“Some of them have netball backgrounds, some don’t, but it’s great to have them up here to help out,” she said.

“The day is really just about getting the kids involved in physical activity, and netball is a good way to do that.”

Anson Street School was one school that took part on Wednesday, with an estimated 60 kids getting involved.

Anson Street School teacher Sue Moloney and aide Yvonne “Toot” Keegan - also an Orange Netball Association stalwart - said the group had been champing at the bit to get on court.

“We’re so proud of them, our kids have wanted to train for this every recess and lunch for quite a while,” Ms Keegan said.

“We’re really overwhelmed with it all.”

“They’ve improved so much too,” Ms Moloney added.

“Some of these kids have never played sport before but have been getting involved in this,” Ms Keegan beamed.

“Mardi has done a wonderful job, and the James Sheahan kids are doing really well too. Every year Mardi is improving it as well, [Anson Street School] will definitely keep coming.”

Ms Moloney explained the advantages of using netball in particular as a way to involve the children in sport.

“Netball is particularly good for them because it’s non-contact, so the girls are not overpowered by the boys,” she said.

“It’s also a really good team building exercise. Even though it’s a complicated game with so much to learn the kids pick it up quite quickly.”