Wandong Netball Club is calling out for new players, members, volunteers and umpires as it prepares for the upcoming Kilmore Broadford Netball Association, KBNA, winter competition.
Located at LB Davern Reserve, the club operates on a community-based approach and will be fielding teams from under nine up to under 17 in the upcoming competition – set to start on April 20.
The KBNA includes teams from Kilmore, Pyalong, Seymour, Broadford, St Patrick’s Primary School and Wandong, with more than 80 Wandong players expected for 2024.
Club president Jo Pascoe said Wandong’s netball was continuing to grow each year.
“We started off in 2022 with around 65 players, and then each year we’re building almost an extra team per year,” she said.
“It’s such a good community feel. Most of the people that come down there, they bring their siblings down and it’s a bit of fun.
“All the parents come and hang out and have a chat at the club, so it becomes a bit of a social outlet for people as well.”
Registrations have now opened for the winter competition, with preseason set to commence on February 21 and go through until March 13.
All-ages preseason training takes places at Wandong Netball Club from 4.30pm to 5.30pm on Wednesdays, with potential players invited to attend two come-and-try sessions before signing up.
The training gives players an opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge of netball before teams are announced on March 13, with team training to commence the week after.
“Once they’ve gone through pre-season training, they’ll also get a bit of a feel for all the players they’ll meet and some of the coaches that will come down,” Ms Pascoe said.
To sign up, families are encouraged to download the Netball Connect app, follow the prompts to register and select ‘3758 Wandong Netball Club’.
Uniforms can be ordered through the app with fittings on offer throughout preseason training.
For 10 weeks in term four each year, the club also offers a NetSetGo program designed for children aged five to 10 years old, aimed at developing advanced netball skills and sportsmanship through activities and matches with modified rules.
“Respect is going to be a huge thing for us and for a lot of our players. It’s the first time they’re coming down and being part of a team sport,” Ms Pascoe said.
“It’s really important for them to understand that and also be able to cooperate with other people.”
Wandong Netball Club is also on the lookout for additional coaches, team managers and umpires to assist with the growing player numbers.
.
Anyone interested in supporting via sponsorship is encouraged to contact wandongnetball@gmail.com.
