Association Championships is an important early step in the Netball Victoria athlete pathway, providing representative teams with exposure to talent scouts and a competitive playing environment.
In recent years, players at Craigieburn Netball Association have missed out on this opportunity after their previous representative program disbanded, until Donna Axton stepped in.
Axton’s daughter and nieces who play at the association on Saturdays were already competing in various local tournaments, so she asked Craigieburn Netball Association president Karen Albon if they could enter a team at Association Championships.
With the support of Albon and the association’s competition manager Joan Curll, they signed up for 15&U Reserves division at the Central West Association Championships held on Sunday 25 May.
“A couple of our girls would die for that sort of pathway but didn't really play anywhere else [with a representative program] … so we just wanted to make it happen,” said Axton, who became the team manager.
“In terms of getting it off the ground this was a bit of a prototype to see how we go and try to build on that for next year, possibly with other teams.”
For many players in the Craigieburn team, competing at Association Championships was their first exposure to the Netball Victoria pathway, alerting them to the possibilities that exist within the sport.
Those who are talent identified (TID) at Association Championships are invited to trial for Netball Victoria’s development programs, including Talent Academy, and for older athletes the state 17/U and 19/U programs.
“For some of the girls, when I said being scouted was a possibility, they were shocked. They didn't realise that that was even a thing, so they were excited at the thought they could maybe get selected,” said Axton.
It was a challenging day on court for the Craigieburn team but with plenty of highlights, including a draw against Parkville Netball who finished top of the ladder.
Axton said tough outings against competitive teams from Geelong, Altona, and Bellarine gave players a chance to push themselves, and an understanding of the high standard of representative netball in the region.
“The girls loved it…It's more of a challenge than what they get in their domestic games,” said Axton.
“It gave the girls something to work towards… They've never sort of come up against the level of netball and the skill set that the girls had at associations, so I think it was really good for them to see just how good some players are.”
Following Association Championships, Axton said the Craigieburn representative program will continue and hopes it will attract more players to the already growing association.
“We've got a good base and it's just about trying to build it up and get the right people to help.”
Craigieburn Netball Association currently hosts a junior competition on Saturdays including female and mixed divisions, and a female and mixed senior competition on Monday nights.
“I think it's definitely growing and there's a few more clubs this year that have come on board so it’s not just the rep program that’s kind of in a rebuild,” said Axton.
As a parent, Axton has been thoroughly impressed by the association staff and volunteers who nurture players and umpires to reach their full potential.
“I can't stress enough that it's a really supportive association,” she said.
“They really look after the girls… and they put a lot of effort into badging their umpires, supporting them, and seeing them through that process, so I think that's one of their strengths at Craigieburn.”
As for Association Championships, would she recommend other associations get on board?
“100 per cent — even just for the experience and the standard of netball.
“We will definitely be going back next year. I’d definitely recommend it.”
