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.

Forbes Netball has been awarded $2000 grant funding as part of Woolworths Pick Fresh Play Fresh Grants program to update the existing Forbes Netball canteen.

The grants support grassroots netball clubs and associations across Australia and are focused on helping young netball players get more healthy via fresh nutrition at training and on match days. Woolworths has now provided over $1 million in funding to close to 300 netball clubs in the past three years including Forbes Netball.

With only 4% of Aussie kids getting enough fresh veg in their diets. Sport and sporting clubs can have a huge influence. Something Forbes Netball life member Robyn Kenny is very aware of.

“Forbes Netball Association will utilise the Woolworths grant to reopen their can-teen to help their young players pick fresh and promote healthy eating habits on and off the court,” Robyn said.

“The canteen wasn’t meeting operating standards. The grant allows us to upgrade the lighting and rewiring as well as supply and fit a new exhaust vent. Basically all the electricals which we can’t operate without,” she said.

“We are nearing the finish and have applied for other grants and we are always grateful and appreciative of any support.”

Forbes Netball have partnered with Woolworths previously – even before it was built in Forbes. The Forbes Netball Association actually gave approval so Woolworths could have enough car spaces it needed to build at its current site.

“Once we are operational we have SSN (Suncorp Super Netball) players also providing some of their favourite recipes and our players will be able to then start doing the same as Australia’s best players.”

The Forbes Netball Association Under 17 representative team recently competed at the NNSW Hart Senior State Titles in Bankstown before Sydney was impacted by COVID restrictions.

The team was one of the youngest teams playing in the age division, made up of players turning 15 and 16 in 2021, and playing against experienced players who were 17 years old, making the assignment a tough one for Forbes.

The majority of players were representing in the State Championships for the first time, with only two players having any representative experience from younger years.

“The team competed in regional training carnivals in Forbes, Bathurst, Parkes and Dubbo. Unfortunately injuries plagued the team in the later stage of preparation,” coach Robyn Kenny said.

“The first day of the State Championships was a learning curve for the team, with Play-ers Player for day one going to Ava Walsh”. Day two saw the girls lift their playing intensity, with some great netball, and nail biting results. Players Player for day two was Lily Boyd.

Day three was by far the best of the three days, as the team kept improving their positional play, timing and support of each other.

This resulted in another two wins and some very competitive games in the other three games. Players Player for day three was Georgia Cole.

“Overall, this was an outstanding experience from all the preparation and training, then a fantastic weekend for all the girls to build up their friendships. Their team spirit was always at a very high level,” Robyn said.

“The girls were a first-class example of what playing netball is all about – building friendships, sportsmanship, team spirit, taking on challenges and never giving up in any situation. Congratulations to all the players, you were a pleasure to coach”.