WA ANL Squad Performs Well in Singapore

WAIS netball scholarship holders have been involved in ANL and World Netball Youth Cup campaigns recently with impressive results being returned across the board.

In the first round of the ANL, WA paid the price for a slow start against South Australia losing 54-47. A ten goal deficit at quarter time was chipped away but WA was unable to get off to a winning start.

WA bounced back with a strong 65-36 win over Tasmania, applying full court defensive pressure which reaped rewards with good transition play and excellent goal conversion from shooters Stacey Northey (40/45) and Ash Neal (8/8). Mia Washbourne and Sally Joynes applied consistent pressure in defence which enabled WA to win comfortably.

In a first for the ANL competition, matches were held in Singapore with WA facing Singapore, Northern Territory and Victoria Fury.

WAIS head netball coach Michelle Wilkins believed the travel schedule was a positive for the WAIS squad.

“For five members of WA’s team, this was the first time they had travelled outside of Australia, so it was a terrific learning experience for them,” said Wilkins.

The first match against the Singapore National Team saw Lindal Rohde and Alice Coakley make their first appearance in the ANL competition with both acquitting themselves well.

Lindal Rohde – who played four quarters in the centre – dominated play in an impressive debut showing. WA asserted both their physical strength and superior skills over Singapore from the first whistle, coasting to a 78-29 win.

In the first quarter WA had 30 attempts at goal to Singapore’s three, scoring 25-2. WA continued to dominate the game throughout with Sarah East shooting 30/36 for the match.

NT Storm had troubled every team in the ANL competition this year, finishing within 1-6 goals of each of their opponents, and WA’s match against the Storm followed suit.

A dominant second quarter from WA led by the impressive Mia Washbourne set up a tense 51-49 result for WA.

Due to flight difficulties Victoria Fury did not play their first scheduled match so flew to Singapore to play the one game against WA. WA had built on its play leading up to Victoria and were keen to take on the challenge.

The first half was a very even contest with the Fury pulling out to a four goal lead at the end of the first quarter on the back of a couple of unforced errors. The second quarter was almost a replica of the first with WA goinggoal for goal and getting back level until the last three minutes where the Victorian outfit again converted on turnovers by WA.

Mia Washbourne was up against a tough competitor in Melbourne Vixens shooter Kathleen Knott, but held her own restricting the shooter to 21 shots over the four quarters.

The second half WA didn’t have the drive coming through the mid court and were too wasteful with the ball in transition. Victoria won the match 61-48.

“Overall an excellent experience for all athletes concerned, and the WA ANL Team is building with each performance,” Wilkins said.

Four WAIS scholarship holders represented Australia at the World Netball Youth Cup in the Cook Islands.

Caitlin Bassett, Andrea Gilmore, Madison Browne and Shae Bolton were all included in the starting seven for Australia, with the team enjoying a 64-48 win over New Zealand in the final.