By JO HARRISON
Caption netball 1: Janine Lockwood securing the ball for the Ben Venue Opals.
Caption netball 2: Ben Venue Opal’s player Niamh Evans shot well during the carnival.
Armidale District Netball Association held their annual All Age Carnival on Sunday at the Lynches Road Courts with two local teams winning their divisions and another finishing runner-up.
Some 26 six teams travelled from across the district and as far as Nambucca Heads to compete in a range of divisions. Each team payed between six to seven games on the day with the carnival played in good spirits. Some divisions played very competitively and others just enjoyed the social aspect of netball.
Uralla Kitty Kats won the 12 to 13 division beating rep teams along the way and the Ben Venue school team won the 11 to 12 division. The combined team from the local first grade division the Puldars were runners-up in the open division losing to Nambucca heads in the final.
The Ben Venue Opals team have been playing in the local competition for about four years and are coached by Duval High School teacher Lea-Anne Vaughan. They were joined at the All Age Carnival by a couple of players from Duval High School, Lily Owen and from St Mary’s Alison Billings.
“The girls went out hard and strong in the first game and continued with excellent form throughout the day to remain undefeated across five games,” coach Vaughan said.
“The girls won their division and were named 11-12 years champions.
“They are to be commended on their sportsmanship, team play and positive attitude throughout the day. I am so proud of the girls.”
