Nothing but net
Volume 11, No. 57, November 30, 2006
By WO2 Eric Bateman

It’s mine: Smn Courtney Alexander, HMAS Stirling, Cpl Amy Hall, Randwick Health Centre, Smn Nicole Sheddon, School of Signals (GA), Lt Jess Kibbey, HQ 17 CSS Bde and Smn Rebecca Evans, School of Signals, struggle to get possession for their teams. Photo by WO2 Eric Bateman

NSW gained the lion’s share of the trophies at the ADF national netball championships in Perth from October 22-28, but not before a hard battle with the ACT women’s team.

NSW won a tough women’s final 23-16 against the ACT and took the mixed 25-24 against a gallant Victorian team in an intense, close and exciting game that see-sawed throughout and was a credit to both.

SA dominated the men’s final 38-27 against a combined South-East Qld/NT team.

The game was highlighted by fast, crisp passing from both sides with the Qld/NT team showing that size up front isn’t everything.

The ACT could perhaps feel a little unlucky after being the most impressive women’s team in a strong and close series of qualifying rounds and losing only one game to SA.

It was a week-long flurry of action at the Gibson Park outdoor courts in Fremantle as the best combined Army, Navy and Air Force netball teams from the ACT, NSW, South-East Qld/NT, SA, Victoria and WA competed.

Ms Jacinta Burford, Fleet Base West, has umpired national indoor and outdoor competitions and commented on the spirit and sportsmanship with which carnival players approached the event.

“The games showed a unique quality that only the triservice players have, with fierce but fair attitudes during the contests that were outstanding and really enjoyable to officiate in,” Ms Burford said.

“The Services have a fantastic approach to the game that I have not seen in the many civilian netball matches that I have refereed.”

Organiser and WA player, Capt Kate Rippon of 109 Signal Squadron 13 Bde, said that the carnival was a terrific success for ADF sport promotion, made easy with a great attitude by all triservice participants.

“It is wonderful to have combined teams from all three Services from all over the country gather together in the West,” Capt Rippon said.

“Congratulations to the winners and all the players who competed for making each game a terrific tussle in each of the three categories and thanks to all the people who helped bring it together.”

The Trade Winds Hotel was the setting for the presentations and naming of the All Star teams during a formal function to wind up the championships. The most valuable player in the women’s competition went to RAAF’s LACW Rachael Gorton (goal defence), of SA; Army’s Cpl Andrew Cameron (goalkeeper) of WA, in the mixed; and RAAF’s Cpl Christopher Sinden (wing attack), of NSW, in the men’s.