NETBALL AROUND THE WORLD: 4 DECEMBER 2009
Congratulations to Australia and Melbourne Vixens defender Julie Corletto, who was rewarded for a superb season this week when she scooped the Liz Ellis Diamond at the Australian Netball Awards. The Diamond, presented to the best performing player for both club and country during the 2009 season, was in recognition of Corletto’s superb defensive performances both for her country against New Zealand and for the Vixens as they scooped the 2009 ANZ Championship title.
Other award winners included Renae Hallinan, named Australia’s International Player of the Year, Natalie von Bertouch – ANZ Championship player of the year, Sharon Kelly – Umpire of the Year and Julie Hoornweg – Coach of the Year.
Meanwhile, six of the game’s leading lights were inducted into the Australian Netball Hall of Fame. Jill McIntosh, Michelle den Dekker OAM, and Gay Teede were inducted as athlete members, while Gwen Benzie AM, Anne Clark BEM C and Lorna McConchie were inducted as general members.
In the Caribbean, another of netball’s stalwart supporters over the years has been recognised with the announcement that St Kitts’ Warner Park netball facilities are to be renamed in honour of Pam Tyson, a well respected administrator who has given years to the island’s netball development programmes.
Ahead of the Nations Cup, which starts in Singapore on Sunday, the six competing teams have arrived for acclimatisation. Australia’s Jill McIntosh has been appointed coach to Singapore for the competition, after several years as an advisor to the Singapore netball association. The competition, which pits the home side against Canada, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Tanzania in a round-robin format, before the finals take place on 12 December.
England Netball has announced the appointment of former international Lyn Carpenter as interim Vice Chairman, until a permanent Vice Chairman can be elected by the membership. Loughborough University’s Andy Borrie has been appointed as a director of the Association’s board.
Meanwhile, in England’s Premier 1 clubs competition, Academy stayed at the top of the league with a 58-39 win over Oaksway. Oldham moved into second place thanks to a 47-43 win away to Stash Blades, while former champions Linden stay in third place after a hard-fought 39-37 victory over fourth placed Hucclecote. Leeds Carnegie is still undefeated at the top of Premier 2, crushing Elmdon 67-27 in the latest round of matches.
Netball will be one of the sports included in Vanuatu’s National Games, which will be held in the capital, Port Vila, from 4-12 December. Four provincial teams representing their netball associations – Shefa, Sanma, Port Vila and Luganville – will be taking part. Netball has been part of the games since 1986 with Port Vila taking the title at every competition – however, competition is expected to be fierce in this year’s contest.
Despite having little or no government recognition or support, netball in Israel continues to flourish, with the game now played in five cities nationwide. The Israel national team is now gearing up to take part in the next Netball Europe Festival to be held in Malta 2010 and to promote this has released a video reminder of their first experience at the inaugural NE Festival held in Dublin in 2007. To view the video follow this link http://www.videoimpactpros.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=242&Itemid=97&limit=&limitstart=&mosmsg=Thanks.+Your+comment+has+been+successfully+saved
Find out more about netball in Israel check out their website where you can find more also videos and pictures of Israel Netball in action: www.israelnetball.org.il
And finally, some young Australian netballers scored a win they will never forget this week, when St Pius X Primary School Grade 6 netball team defeated the Melbourne Vixens in an upset during yesterday`s inaugural Jason Bedding Cup.
The Saints, who won the right to play the Vixens after an undefeated season in the VPSSA Jason Cup, managed to outrun, outshoot and outmuscle their opponents in the match at the State Netball Hockey Centre. Clear crowd favourites, the Saints travelled from Warrnambool to play the reigning ANZ Champions and were cheered loudly from the sidelines by their classmates and families.
The match was officiated by Vixens stars Sharelle McMahon and Julie Corletto, who also took the time to give St Pius a rev up before the game and during half time. For pictures of the game and the views of the coaches, visit www.melbournevixens.com.au/newsitem.asp?id=13956&orgid=2422
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