SCHOOL SPORT VICTORIA

State Netball Finals

Intermediate Girls

On Monday 7 September, the Intermediate Girls Netball Team played in the SSV State finals at Waverley Netball Centre.

The first game was against Frankston High School, who pushed the girls initially, but by half-time the CMCB team had pulled away to establish a convincing lead that Frankston couldn’t recover from. Final score was 33-18.

The next game was a much more challenging one against St Helena Secondary College. Both teams were evenly matched all game, so much so that scores were tied at three-quarter time. Going into the last quarter, the girls were able to keep calm, play some terrific team netball and establish a slender lead. Despite intense pressure from St Helena’s, the girls were able to hold on in a tough encounter to win 22-18.

The third and last game of the rounds was against Horsham College. The girls were able to pull away quite early on, again showcasing the team’s depth, with all players getting valuable court time in a variety of positions. The final score was 40-14, which saw the team finish top of their pool and secure a spot in the semifinals.

The semifinal was against Marist-Sion College, a team that had looked quite dominant in their pool. Right from the first whistle, the girls came out absolutely firing, staying calm and controlled to establish an 8–2 lead by the end of the first quarter. This brilliant start set the game up as the girls were then able to keep control for the entire game. The final score was 29-16.

The State Final was against regularly met on-court rival, Rowville Sports College. The girls once again started very well, however in this case the team was unable to break the back of Rowville and the match was goal-for-goal for the first half, with the scores even at the main break. From the start of the third quarter, Rowville were unfortunately the ones who managed to break away, and despite some determined netball and tough opportunities to close the gap, the girls weren’t quite able to convert. The match finished with a 25- 20 win to Rowville, but the team spirit and effort to try and bridge the gap by the entire team, both on and off the court showed incredible courage.

We are so proud of the girls for being State runners-up. They worked incredibly hard all day on the back of their National Tournament just days prior and it was obvious that they gave it absolutely everything. Congratulations girls.

**It has been a wonderful year with these girls from start to finish. Well done to Sophie McDermott (C), Eva Grant (VC), Lilly Teuma, Imogen Brown, Alexis Arundell, Poppy Gladstone, Macey Pinner, Elle Gilchrist, Ellie Macumber, Evie Gretgrix and Sienna Raco. Thank you to Lily McKee for scoring for us on the day, and to Macey White for stepping up to fill in for the Senior Team, who were struggling for a bench.

Mrs Jessica Baird & Mrs Julie Fennell, Coaches

INTERMEDIATE TEAM: Mrs Jessica Baird (Assistant Coach), Sienna Raco, Elle Gilchrist, Lilly Teuma, Poppy Gladstone, Evie Gretgrix, Imogen Brown, Mrs Julie Fennell (Coach), Lily McKee (Scorer), Alexis Arundell, Sophie McDermott, Eva Grant, Macey Pinner, Ellie Macumber

Senior Girls

On Thursday 3 September, the Senior Girls competed in the School Sport Victoria State Finals Day at Waverley Netball Centre. Having progressed through the previous rounds, the girls arrived excited for the challenge of competing against some of the best school netball teams in Victoria.

The day presented a massive challenge even before the team stepped onto the court. With only eight of the original thirteen players available to play, the girls knew they would need to dig deep and display incredible resilience and teamwork throughout the day. Despite this equation, there was a shining light as the girls were fortunate enough to welcome Macey White from the CMCB Intermediate Team into the squad, and she stepped into the group seamlessly.

With three demanding pool matches standing between the girls and a possible State Championship, managing energy levels and recovery was going to be crucial. What followed was one of the most inspiring displays of courage and determination I have witnessed from a school netball team.

Game 1 vs Frankston High School

The opening game was a tough and physical contest that immediately tested the team’s resolve. After a slow start, they found themselves trailing by close to 10 goals during the second quarter. Rather than becoming discouraged, the girls responded with incredible belief. Defensive pressure lifted, their attacking connections improved, and they gradually worked their way back into the game. A remarkable turnaround saw the girls finish strongly and claim a hard-fought 20-17 victory. This game really set the tone for the day and showed exactly where the team’s mindset was. The girls were courageous, resilient and determined.

Game 2 vs St Helena Secondary College

The girls carried the momentum from the first game into Game 2, putting on a brilliant performance against St Helena. A quick and accurate start saw the team hit their peak netball flow, moving the ball efficiently and converting strongly in attack. With the margin building throughout the game, all players were rotated through different positions as valuable energy was preserved for all players for later in the day. The result was a convincing 29-14 win.

Game 3 vs Trinity College Colac

Knowing that a win would secure top spot in their pool and the more favourable pathway into the State Semi Final, the girls were primed and ready. Trinity College Colac proved a worthy opponent, and the game was competitive throughout the first half. Every time Trinity challenged, the girls found another gear, gradually pulling away through disciplined team defence and composed attacking play. The reward was a strong 27-19 victory and confirmation that the team would progress to the State Semi Final as the top-ranked team in their pool. It was a fabulous result.

State Semi Final - vs Marist Sion College

The State Semi Final saw the girls face Marist Sion College. By this stage of the day, fatigue was certainly becoming a factor, but the girls were determined to leave everything on the court. For our Year 12 students, there was the added motivation of knowing this could be the final time they represented the College in school netball.

The game was an absolute thriller. The team matched Marist Sion from the outset and trailed by just one goal at quarter time. At half-time, the girls may have been five goals down, but there was never any sense of panic. The girls believed in themselves and kept fighting. Their persistence paid off as they reduced the deficit to just three goals at the final break before producing a determined final quarter to force the game into overtime.

Two 5-minute halves challenged all players physically and mentally, but they rose to the occasion. With every player contributing, they found another level and eventually emerged victorious, 43-37 securing a place in the State Grand Final. It was another outstanding example of resilience, courage and teamwork.

State Grand Final vs Rowville Secondary College

With a State Title on the line, the girls faced Rowville Secondary College in the Grand Final. Despite the physical and mental toll of the day, the entire group somehow found a little bit extra. The match was fiercely contested, and at half-time they held a one-goal lead, giving themselves every chance of claiming the championship.

Unfortunately, the accumulated fatigue of the day began to show in the second half. Rowville capitalised on a few uncharacteristic errors and were able to build momentum at crucial stages of the game. Although the girls fought until the final whistle, Rowville eventually prevailed to win 27-20.

To finish as the second-best Senior school netball team in Victoria is an incredible achievement and one that every player should remember with immense pride. The girls demonstrated everything that makes a successful team: teamwork, resilience, determination, courage and strength of character. Most importantly, they displayed the very best sportsmanship throughout the entire tournament, showing respect to teammates, opponents and officials alike.

Every player represented the College exceptionally well, embracing whatever role was required of them and putting the team first. The effort, commitment and positivity shown throughout the day (and all previous days) was simply outstanding.

Congratulations girls on an unforgettable campaign and a remarkable State Runner-Up finish. You should all be incredibly proud of what you achieved together.

Mrs Sharna Frawley, Coach

SENIOR TEAM: Mrs Sharna Frawley (Coach), Macey White, Zara Bibby, Adeline Neilson, Lexie Austen, Lila Kelly, Eden Pollard, Lexie Fennell, Juliet Hogan, Diana Napoleon, Maeve Cass, Charlize Pinder