Netball is one step closer to returning in Cootamundra after Cootamundra Netball Association (CNA) decided that they would compete in the Netball NSW State Titles in 2022.
This will be the first time Coota have fielded a representative team in over a decade.
The CNA have reached out to surrounding small towns to try and encourage girls who have always loved netball but are playing other sports to come back and have the chance to play at a representative level.
Cootamundra Netball Association Secretary Corinna Campbell said “We have managed to get quite a bit of support for coaching, we have three coaches already so we are hoping to get a minimum of 3 teams.”
These trials are open for 12 to 17 year olds from both the Cootamundra club participants as well as non-club participants.
“We are hoping to get a great selection of players from around the region, not just Cootamundra.”
The path towards the State Titles is predominantly played on Sunday’s which can allow these girls to play two sports throughout the winter if they wish.
Once teams are selected, they will play in 1 or 2 carnivals a month in the lead up to the State Titles.
The State Titles will be held over three days in mid 2022, the competition is usually held in Sydney.
Corinna said bringing netball back to Cootamundra means everything to the club.
“We’ve never had enough girls to create an actual competition here in Cootamundra and to give these girls a platform where they can play representative netball is great.”
“We are just trying to keep traditional girls sport here in town.”
To keep netball alive in the area, the Cootamundra Netball Association have been running a skill development program on Tuesday afternoons.
These programs have been running for close to a decade.
“Through these programs we can get up to 60 to 80 kids participating in this program.”
Corinna is hoping that the development programs will encourage kids to stick with netball as they grow older.
Trials for the representative teams will be held on November 27 2021.
Nomination forms can be found on the Cootamundra Netball Association Facebook page or via the website, www.cootamundrana.nsw.netball.com.au.
For more information keep an eye on the Cootamundra Netball Association Facebook page.
Tahlia Crane