ORANGE Netball Association representative co-ordinator Michelle Turner is certain all four junior Thunder sides are a title chance at this weekend’s division two Netball NSW Samsung State Age Championships, at Bankstown’s Deverall Park.
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She highlighted Orange’s gun under-15s as the colour city’s best hopes though, as they look to defend last years title.
“Their coach, Trish Williams, has really brought them on well,” Turner said.
“This is their last year as well. They’ll go pretty well.”
The under-15 side will be led by NSW representative Annie Miller and also features the likes of Gemma Gailey, Gidget Hall, Siara Jawai, Millie Lennehan, Kate Mastronardi, Hannah Marsh, Georgia Poole, Sophie Sheehan, Taliah Tufuga, Athing Majok and Lara Moriarty.
“All teams were selected last November, they’ve been training and working really hard since then,” Turner said.
We'll give them some curry, give them a run for their money.
- ONA representative co-ordinator Michelle Turner
“In division two all the sides, we’ll give them some curry, give them a run for their money.
“It’ll be interesting to see where all the sides finish at the end of the weekend.”
Orange is also sending under-12, under-13 and under-14 sides.
“I think the under-12 side will go really well,” Turner said.
“The under-12 and under-13 sides have smaller pools than usual, which will help.
“Generally, the teams are trying to improve on how they did last year, I think we should be able to do that.
“It’s good for the girls to be looked at by different coaches and selectors. They get up-skilled down in Sydney as well and then they all bring that experience back to our competitions here too, which is great.”
Turner pointed to minimising errors as Orange’s main focus in all four divisions, especially considering the games are shortened.
“They play 20 minutes games, something like that so it is very important the girls don’t make too many errors and capitalise on the possession they have,” Turner said.
“Then they’ll just need to look for turnovers and that kind of thing which can change a game.
“You don’t want to be behind in these games because you’re left chasing your tail, playing catch up in shorter games which is less than ideal.”
The championships kick off on Saturday, continue on Sunday and come to a close on Monday afternoon.
ORANGE UNDER-12: Lucy Dean, Ellie Mooney, Georgia Cornish, Hailey Prestwidge, Bonnie Keegan, Kiera Tufuga, Holly Board, Sophie Banks, Caitlin Prestwidge, Megan Eslick
ORANGE UNDER-13: Chloe Kearins, Poppy Keegan, Amelia Wilcox, Molly McLean, Bailie-Rose Miller, Briana Priest, Georgie Porch, Olivia Collins, Annalise Maier, Mereoni Tuinakauvadra
ORANGE UNDER-14: Olivia Basha, Sophie Brisbane, Alexandria Emerson, Ally Kaufman, Lucy Nagle, Ella Robbins, Farrah Staniforth, Tabua Tuinakauvandra, Grace White, Emily Williams, Xanthe Keegan, Rhiannon Dennis, Keely Perett
ORANGE UNDER-15: Annie Miller, Gemma Gailey, Gidget Hall, Siara Jawai, Millie Lennehan, Kate Mastronardi, Hannah Marsh, Georgia Poole, Sophie Sheehan, Taliah Tufuga, Athing Majok, Lara Moriarty