The Netball National Championships is a week-long competition, testing the best pathway talent from each State and Territory.
The competition has produced some of the most prominent Origin Australian Diamonds and Suncorp Super Netball athletes in the country and is an extremely valuable experience for officials and athletes alike.
In 2024, WA were the only State to medal in both divisions, taking home silver in the 17/U division and bronze in 19/U.
17/U Preview
The 17/U side are more determined than ever after coming runners up in 2024 in a two-goal grand final loss to South Australia.
The side will be led by Captain Ivy Dodd, who said she’s excited to see how the new-look team will face the challenges over the week.
“Over the course of our training, we’ve definitely improved, getting stronger both individually and as a unit,” Dodd said.
“Our connections have been such a big focus, the squad has come from different places, so we’ve been really looking to strengthen that.”
Dodd will be assisted by vice-captain Charli Hynes, who said the team will be locking into their championship material and are more than capable of taking on the gold medal match.
Dodd and Hynes are the two returning athletes in the squad with much of the 2024 team aging up.
The 17/U squad’s campaign will kick off on Thursday against Queensland and then the side will have their 2024 grand final rematch on Friday against South Australia.
Head Coach: Guy Keane
Assistant Coach: Mel Rainey
Squad: Ava Bell, Keely Berry, Georgia Candy, Ivy Dodd (Captain), Georgia Holmes, Charli Hynes (Vic Captain), Sienna Kukulj, Amelie Markovic (Emerging Leader), Sapphire McLeod (Emerging Leader), Skyla Payne, Loyola Vaauli, Maisie Wilders.
19/U Preview
The 19/U side is stacked with both experience and talent, many of the athletes making the move together from 17/U side.
After coming away with the bronze medal last year, the 19/U squad are looking to skip straight to gold in 2025.
Grace Jooste, in her second year in the 19/U squad, will captain the side and said they have done all the preparation to put their best foot forward.
“It means the world to be named captain, it’s such a privilege and I’m extremely grateful,” Jooste said.
“The big motto in training has been turning bronze into gold, we’re gunning for that gold medal, and it looks like we can do it.”
Clara Wigley and Teagan Begovic will both be vice-captains said their shared leadership experience will help them support Grace.
“A few of us play together at GIG WANL, so it’s great to have those connections and then bring in the other players,” Wigley said.
“Some of us have even been playing together since under 12s, so it’s really nice to see everyone come up the pathway together,” Begovic said.
Whilst Jooste returns to the side, Halle Richards, Grace Millichamp, Teagan Begovic, Christe-Lee Griesel, Emily Rivers, Kate Cunningham and Ava Buselich have all moved up from the 17/U squad.
Head Coach: Karly Gaudagin
Assistant Coach: Dylan McPherson
Squad: Teagan Begovic (Vice Captain), Ava Buselich, Kate Cunningham, Christe-Lee Griesel, Grace Jooste (Captain), Lily Knight, Aaliyah Koteka, Grace Millichamp, Eva Petkovic, Halle Richards, Emily Rivers, Clara Wigley (Vice Captain.
View the NNC Fixtures here
You can stream the National Netball Championships throughout the week on KommunityTV.
