The Forbes Netball Association was represented by the 17U team at the Netball NSW Hart Senior State Titles over the June long weekend at Camden netball courts. The team included Lily Boyd, Piper Hanrahan, Kaylar Emery, Laura Scott, Hannah Stanmore, Eb Colvin, Jane Davis, Hannah Williams, Sienna Marchant, Kiesha Rusten.

Seven games were played on day one of the Championships, where the team recorded a great win over West Wyalong and another over Blayney. With the other games against Singleton, Tumut, Wollondilly, Ballina and Brunswick Byron extremely close in their court play. Players player was shared between three girls, Eb Colvin, Jane Davis and Lily Boyd.

Day two was an up and down day for the team, interrupted by small injuries to a number of players, affecting the positioning of the players. Games were played against Casino, Armidale, Great Lakes, Hastings Valley, Inverell and Lithgow, and although no wins were recorded, all the girls played to their best ability, and supported each other in all their play, and never gave up trying. Players player for Day 2 was Hannah Stanmore.

Day three had another 6 games drawn to play, with a great win over Parramatta Auburn, and very close games against Manning Valley, Mt Druitt, Nelson Bay, Quirindi and Scone. Players player for day 3 was Lily Boyd.

The results of the games does not show the closeness of the play in the games, where the Forbes team played a high standard of netball throughout the full three days of the Championships, and never gave up trying. All of the girls should be congratulated for their outstanding sportsmanship, team work and support of each other.

By Robyn Kenny (Proud coach)

Four netball teams from Forbes took part in the Dubbo regional carnival last weekend with some good results despite reduced player numbers due to illness.

The 17s played all their games with just seven players in the last of their preparation before the Hart Senior State Titles over June long weekend.

Goal shooter Laura Scott and goal attack Pip Hanrahan were extremely accurate with their goal shooting, with Laura scoring 100% accuracy in the first three games.

Thanks to Brianna, who stepped in when centre Hannah Stanmore was injured, and to Georgia Cole for being available to play when we were short in numbers.

Players player was shared between Pip Hanrahan and Eb Colvin.

The 14s team posted some solid wins, but the elusive win against Cowra was not to be. Players player was Jessie Tyack.

The 12s gave it their all in their final carnival for the season playing seven games with no reserves.

The 11s showed outstanding sporting spirit with only six players. Well done to Addi Howe who has just started playing NetSetGo, and travelled to Dubbo to compete in the 11s team.

Four Forbes netball teams travelled to the Bathurst regional carnival on Sunday. The 11s were excited about playing in their first away carnival, while the 17s are nearing the end of their preparation for the Senior State titles in Camden over the June long weekend. 

It was dads day with the dads stepping into the traditional helping roles usually carried out by the mums. Again, different combinations were tested, with players showing through their individual strengths. This will be used to put together combinations for the State Titles. The last carnival for the team is Dubbo next Sunday, with just three weeks to go to State Titles. Players player for the day was Lily Boyd. 

The 14s took a step up at Bathurst recording the best results of the season against teams from Cowra, Blayney and Bathurst. Players player for the day was Holly Leighton. 

The 12s development team really held their own impressing with their consistency in effort throughout the day. 

The 11s were very excited for their second carnival for the season. These eight young ladies did not give up all day, playing with only one extra in each game. 

They played some exceptional netball and improved every game.

By Robyn Kenny 

Three teams represented Forbes Netball Association at a regional carnival last weekend in Orange. Rain hampered the day, with showers on and off during the games. 

The 17s started the day with two new players, Sienna and Kiesha, who fitted perfectly into the team. They played six games and all combinations were tested against strong opposition from Cobar, Orange, Blayney, Lithgow and Parkes. 

The 14s played eight games that tested their fitness, but they pushed through to some good results. After a win against Cobar, and a draw with Parkes, the girls played their best game of the day against Griffith. 

The 12s Development team improved immensely throughout the day and had a wonderful conclusion to the carnival with an intense 6-10 loss against Parkes. 

The Forbes Netball Open representative team came second in the West/Central West Regional League competition in Division 2. The team had seven players who also play in the 17U representative team, making it one of the youngest teams entering the open competition. 

Players Player for Day 1 was shared by Leah Byrnes and Hannah Stanmore. On Day 2 the play off for 2nd and 3rd was between Forbes and Lithgow with a very determined Forbes team. All players took the court, and recorded a great win over Lithgow, winning every quarter with the final score 46-25 to Forbes.Goal attack Brianna Duncan, and shooters Laura Scott and Piper Hanrahan netted some great goals, with the experience of centre courts Fiona Howarth and Iesha Sinclair showing through. Players player for day 2 was goal keeper Lily Boyd. 

This competition was a great learning experience for the players, who were capably led by their older team mates in all areas on the court. All players displayed outstanding sportsmanship on and off the court, showing the FNA fighting spirit of never giving up every time they took the court. Second place in Division 2 was a just reward for the team, who improved with every game throughout the competition. 

The Forbes Netball Association (FNA) hosted an extremely successful annual All Age Regional carnival on Sunday with over 1,000 players, officials and spectators packed into Stephen Field for the day. Approximately 350 games of netball were played over 13 netball courts with players aged from nine years to open ladies coming from all parts of the Riverina and West/Central West. 

The Forbes Netball Association was represented by two teams – 17U and 14 years – who are both preparing for NNSW State Titles, and the 12 years and 11 years teams. The 17U team will compete in the Senior State Titles in June, and recorded many wins. The 14 years team will compete in the Junior State Titles in July, and also recorded many wins on the day. Players Player was Jaya Smith who continues to improve her skills and always gives 100%. 

The 12 years team gave it their all and made their coach and supporters all very proud. The 11 years team played exceptionally well, improving throughout the day. Results were: 

• 17U rep: winners Dubbo, runners-up West Wyalong
• 15 rep: winners Barellan, runners-up Cowra
• 14 rep: winners Cootamundra, runners-up Temora
• 13 rep: winners Leeton, runners-up Cobar
• 12 rep: winners Dubbo, runner-sup Cowra
• 12 years Dev: winners Dubbo 12, runners-up Temora
• 11 years: winners Orange, runners-up Dubbo 

Visitors thanked the committee on a great day of well organised netball, with many teams booking accommodation for Saturday night. 

Volunteers from the four Forbes teams manned the barbeque and canteen selling lots of delicious food, with donations of cooking coming from families on the day. 

Thank you to Forbes Shire Council for preparing the Stephen Field grounds with rain interruptions during the week. The day was a huge fundraiser for the FNA, who rely on the money raised on the day. 

By Robyn Kenny 

The Forbes Netball Association will be starting the winter season with a big bang this weekend with NetSetGo and junior skills, games on Saturday morning, and the annual Regional All Age Carnival on Sunday.

NetSetGo and junior skills and games: NetSetGo will start at 9:30am and junior skills and games to be played at 10:30am. NetSetGo is a great way to start the younger boys and girls from 5 to 10 years, who will play fun games for the hour. Junior skills are more advanced skills and games, and is an extension for the older NSG children, who would like to stay after the NSG program. Everyone is welcome to come and try NSG and junior skills before they decide to register. Registration is free, if you use the Active Kids Voucher, with no other charges to pay.

Regional All Age Carnival: The annual regional All Age Carnival on Sunday will see over 1,000 players, officials and supporters packing Stephen Field for a very full day of netball. Games start at 8:30am and continue throughout the day with about 350 games of netball to be played. Players are aged from 9-10 years to open ladies and will be played on 12 courts for in seven different age divisions.

The Forbes All Age Carnival is one of the biggest in the region with all parts of the West/Central West and Riverina represented. Associations represented are; Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Dubbo, Cobar, Far West Academy, West Wyalong, Blayney, Cootamundra, Temora, Leeton, Parkes and Forbes. Help will be needed to cater for the huge crowd and donations of goods welcomed. The recently renovated Forbes NA canteen will be put to the test.

Come down to Stephen Field on Sunday and watch some great netball in action.

By Robyn Kenny

Netball clubs can apply for the Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh grants program to support the return of grassroots netball across Australia in 2022.

A total of 15 grants will be on offer with clubs and associations able to apply for five grants worth $10,000 each and 10 grants worth $5,000 each. The grants program is designed to assist with initiatives including facility improvements, equipment and training programs.

Over the last five years, Woolworths has shown its continual support for grassroots netball, donating over $1.1 million to more than 285 netball clubs and associations across Australia through its community grants program.

To be eligible for the grant, clubs and associations must have a Woolworths NetSetGO centre and specify in their application the tangible project, activity, or equipment they would like to utilise the grant money for.

Applications for grant funding will need to outline how their project will support young netballers to Pick Fresh or Play Fresh. Entries are open until Sunday, 19th June with grants winners announced during the week of 4th July.

Visit pickfreshplayfresh.netball.com.au for more information and to apply.