Under-11s bring home gold

The winning under-11s side (back, from left) Claire Menadue, Peggy O'Donnell, Aysha Bartlett, Stevie Williams and Harriett Maher; (front) Oaklee Morrison, Pippa Holden and Stella Butcher.

Some of the youngest members of the Deniliquin Netball Association are on a high this week after bringing home gold from a representative tournament in Kyabram on Sunday.

Despite the cold and wet conditions, the under-11s hit the court full of energy and determination.

They played with confidence, drawing on all the skills and knowledge developed throughout the rep season.

Their teamwork and sportsmanship were outstanding and a true credit to them.

In the goal circle, Harriet Maher and Oaklee Morrison proved to be a formidable duo.

Facing a variety of strong defenders, they adjusted their play with great maturity.

Their height difference became an advantage, allowing them to work cleverly and complement each other's game.

The mid-court was expertly directed by Aysha Bartlett, Stella Butcher and Pippa Holden, whose precision passing and clever feeds into the circle ensured smooth and controlled play.

Their vision and timing were pivotal across all games.

Defensively, Stevie Williams and Claire Menadue were absolute powerhouses.

They read the play beautifully, intercepted with confidence, and turned over possession to launch quick transitions into attack.

A special mention goes to Peggy O’Donnell, who stepped in as a fill-in and was a true impact player. She played wherever needed and brought energy and versatility to every position she took on.

The team had an incredible run, winning all nine games to make the finals.

The first final was a hard-fought win, setting up a thrilling grand final.

The opposition came out strong, and at half-time Deni trailed by one goal.

But with determination, sharp turnovers, precise passing, and accurate shooting, the girls rallied as a team and powered through to claim victory and win by four goals.