Cobram’s Ada Kennedy named in Goulburn Region youth squad to contest 2026 Netball Victoria State Titles

Twenty-four players will represent the Goulburn Region at the 2026 Netball Victoria State Titles in March, earning their spots after months of trials and training, with Cobram’s Ada Kennedy named in the 15-and-under squad.

Amy Marshall (Mooroopna) and Emma Quinn (Kyabram) will steer the 17-and-under squad, while Shepparton Swans pair Sharna Saunders and Amy Woodman have been appointed coaches of the 15-and-under team.

For Marshall, the trial process underlined just how deep the region’s talent runs.

“Selections were really difficult, there’s so much talent in this region,” she said.

“We actually had two parts to our selections where we tried to cut it down to a squad, did three training sessions and then tried to cut it down to a playing group.

“It was hard ... probably one of the hardest I’ve seen if I’m honest.”

Players completed a six-week training block before Christmas, followed by a month-long at-home program over the holiday break.

Now that the squads are locked in, the focus turns to pushing standards and sharpening performance.

With less than two months until the State Titles at the State Netball Centre from March 7-9, the final phase of preparation looms as critical if the Goulburn teams are to mount a deep campaign.

The 17-and-under side went down by just three goals to Gippsland in last year’s grand final, while the 15-and-under’s finished ninth, and Marshall has set high expectations for both squads in 2026.

“Honestly I think the under-15s have got a really got shot this year as well,” she said.

“This is going to sound terrible, but I love nothing more than beating metro teams.

“Last year we played Gippsland in the final so it was an all regional affair in the decider.”