Orange Netball Association's brightest prospects will take to the courts of Baulkham Hills this weekend, with the under-12, under-13 and under-14 Thunder outfits all primed and ready for an assault on Netball NSW HART Junior State Titles glory.
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The three sides will all compete in their age groups' second division following a slight revamp of the junior state championships, after a detailed review the under-15 age group was shifted to run alongside the senior tournaments.
You'd love to win a championship or two but if that was to come it'd just be a bonus.
- ONA vice president Michelle Turner
That was largely due to the sheer numbers of players the tournaments accommodate every year, for instance more than 2,300 players to converge on Baulkham Hills and Penrith for this year's junior titles, the former association hosting divisions one and tow and the latter divisions three and four.
That makes the under-14 division the eldest of this year's championships, and Orange Netball Association vice president Michelle Turner said the Orange side is relishing the chance to be the most senior Thunder representatives.
"They are looking forward to that, being their last year now because of those changes they're all really hoping to enjoy it and play some good netball," she said.
"They have actually been ravaged by injury a little bit, there's been quite a few new faces coming into that side late in the preparation but I think they'll do well.
"I think all the sides will do well. It sounds cliche but for all of them it really is just about enjoying their time away with each other, playing well and more than anything having fun.
"You'd love to win a championship or two but if that was to come it'd just be a bonus."
The 2019 Netball NSW HART Junior State Titles kick off on Saturday and continue on Sunday, before the champions are crowned following Monday's third and final day.
ORANGE TEAMS:
- UNDER 12s: Sage Annis-Brown, Millie Banks, Elsie Callaway, Charlotte Cousins, Luella Maunder, Talia Opetaia, Amy Robinson, Isabelle Shore, Xanthe Staniforth, Isla Stringer
- UNDER 13s: Hayley Baird, Ellen Dolbel, Arabella Gibson, Annabel Harrison, Teresa Hazzard, Eva Keegan, Sadie Keegan, Clare McMillan, Emma Terry, Mackenzie Wright
- UNDER 14s: Jess Curtin, Lily Escreet, Evie Hall, Samantha Harvey, Amelia Hogben, Millicen Klaare, Asha Nicol, Amity O'Brien, Lucy O'Malley, Isabella Taylor
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