NETBALL
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THE 2016 HeartKids Netball Cup isn’t just about development for Orange’s youthful division one players, competition coordinator Mardi Aplin said, the side is in to win it.
To do that, Orange will need to knock off some of the best netball sides in the state.
The competition - now firmly entrenched as a premier pre-season tournament for teams state-wide - will host sides of the calibre of Canberra, ACT under-19s and Tuggeranong along with defending champions Baulkham Hills, now gunning for their third straight title.
But perhaps the biggest obstacle in the young Orange side’s way is Netball NSW Premier League team North Shore United.
“Being a Premier League team, North Shore United will definitely be a side to watch,” Aplin said.
“Then with Baulkham Hills and the other sides, apparently the ACT under-19 side are very strong this year, it will be a tough competition.
“Orange is a young side but I think they are genuine contenders. A lot of those girls really excelled for Life Studio in last year’s [Orange Netball Association Toyota Cup] and they’ll mix well with the experience of players like Tegan (Dray) and Narelle (Taylor).
“I’m really excited to see how all this young talent will go against some of the State’s best players. I’m got all the faith in the world in them.”
Life Studio sextet Beth Curtin, Tara Nagle, Brooke Burcher, Annie Miller, Em Brisbane and Brigette Jasprizza will join Dray and Taylor, both from the Robin Hood’s all-conquering division one side, in Orange’s top team along with Hawks duo Kristin Zinga and Kirstern McIntyre.
They’ll kick off their campaign with the now traditional country versus city match-up against Baulkham Hills, a side somewhat weakened by the formation of the Premier League competition.
Orange’s division two side will play off against Tuggeranong, ACT under-17s, Canberra, Baulkham Hills and NSW’s under-17 development side.
Orange Aboriginal Medical Service (OAMS) has jumped on board in support of this year’s edition of the competition, providing the prize money for the winners, while the second day of play coincides with HeartKids Australia’s Sweetheart Day.
“It’s great to have OAMS on board, they’re a fantastic organisation,” Aplin said.
“We always look to raise a couple of thousand dollars for HeartKids each year, but it’s such a big weekend to raise awareness for the cause (providing support to families of children with heart disease).”
Play kicks off on Saturday at 1.05pm before the preliminary rounds finish on Sunday prior to the competition’s cross-over semi-finals.
ORANGE HEARTKIDS: Beth Curtin, Tara Nagle, Kristin Zinga, Brooke Burcher, Annie Miller, Tegan Dray, Lauren Williams, Emily Brisbane, Brigette Jasprizza, Narelle Taylor, Kirstin McIntyre.
ORANGE DIVISION TWO: Rhiannah McIntyre, Zali Nagle, Mikayla Riley, Chloe Riley, Lucy Brisbane, Kellie Watson, Cheynoah Merchant, Sophie Brisbane, Caitie Harvey, Olivia Fitzpatrick