ORANGE made it 20 straight Central West State League titles in a row last weekend, but few would realise its not just the colour city’s women dominating the sport.
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Keeping the city’s reputation as a netballing stronghold firmly intact Orange products Adam Slattery, Cameron Radburn and Adam Radburn will all line up for NSW’s men’s netball sides at this weekend’s 2015 Australian Men’s and Mixed Netball Championships.
Slattery, Australian under 23 skipper last year, will line up in NSW’s open side for the first time while the Radburns will take the court for the state’s under 23 and under 19 sides respectively.
“It’s my first year in opens, so I’m definitely feeling the nerves,” Slattery said.
“I know Cameron is a bit nervous going into the competition as a shooter instead of a defender this year.”
Slattery - who has been training at centre, wing defence and goal defence in the lead up - labelled his side’s preparation as the best he’s been a part of.
“We’ve had plenty of cardio sessions late last year, and skill building and team dynamics stuff early this year,” he explained.
“We finished off the last two weeks playing games every few days to get our bodies used to performing under fatigue, and as a team (then opens) have focused on moving the ball with pace, we have speed and athleticism other teams don’t. Personally ... I’ve had to work pretty hard on all aspects, but I’ve tried to focus on my one-on-one shut down defence in particular.”
He went on to say all three NSW sides have realistic shots at their respective titles, even if the open team does face the extra pressure of not having won a national championship in a decade.
“I’ve got confidence in my team, I really think we finally have the depth to take it out,” Slattery said.
“I think we should take out the opens, Victoria and Queensland are tough though, and we won’t be taking any game lightly.
“The under 23s have a great chance, although Western Australia is strong and could trouble them, and the under 20s have some great talent and will do very well, although Victoria is very strong in that division.”
Another Orange native, Michael Rudd, will also head to the championships, but he won’t be playing. He’ll be umpiring.
“I’m not really sure what to expect,” Rudd said.
“I’ve umpired in Sydney recently but not at this level. They are picking four umpires to go away with the Australian side they pick, so fingers crossed I might get a chance there.”
Australian sides will be picked for all three divisions at the conclusion of the championships, which kicks off today at Netball Central at Sydney Olympic Park.
