Sport
21 June, 2024
State title for Hampden Open
HAMPDEN League has broken a 21-year drought to be crowned state netball champions.
The team, coached by South Warrnambool’s Will Jamison, took out the state championship in Parkville last Sunday, defeating Goulburn Valley Netball League 17-10.
Hampden’s 17 and under and 15 and under sides both finished semi-finalists, while the 13 and unders also performed remarkably well throughout the tournament and was defeated by Ballarat FNL 9-8 in the consolidation final.
Association Championships is an integral part of Netball Victoria’s talent pathway for players, coaches and officials, culminating in a finals day at the State Netball Centre.
With talent identification opportunities at each stage of the competition, associations from across the state first competed within their own region before the two qualifying teams in each championship division progressed to the finals.
Across Victoria, more than 350 teams and more than 3600 players competed in the event across male, 13 and under, 15 and under, 17 and under, Open and All Abilities divisions.
In an exciting reflection of the health of the talent pathway across the state, all eight teams in the grand finals were from different associations and leagues.
The depth of talent, particularly in regional Victoria, was also on display as 10 regional and six metro affiliates represented the 16 teams in finals.