Star performers, major achievements in grand final showdowns
As each Ipswich netball side worked hard to achieve victory, a group of most valuable players produced special performances. See who starred on grand final day.
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After a netball season everyone was thrilled to complete, the winning grand final teams are celebrating their latest successes.
As each side worked hard to achieve victory, a group of most valuable players produced special performances.
In Division 1, Aztecs goal defence Lauren Atkin was named player of the final in her team’s 49-27 triumph over Rebels 1.
“Lauren has been a consistently good player all year,’’ Aztecs captain Emilie Willmot said.
“She’s a tough competitor and can actually shoot and defend.
“This was her first season at the Ipswich Netball Association and I’m very grateful to have her in the team.’’
Former Ipswich Flyers captain Willmot (nee McInally) said beating Rebels 1 was pleasing, especially given it had been a few years since the club won a top grade grand final.
“We are a very cohesive team so if someone has something to say we all listen,’’ Willmot said.
Pandas 8 coach Lailee Smith was delighted with her team’s 47-18 victory over Aztecs 11 in the Division 1 14/15 years grand final.
Wing defence/centre and Ipswich rep team co-captain Celeste Quinn was named player of the final.
“We had a good year, a strong team but we hadn’t beaten that team (Aztecs 11) by that much,’’ Smith said.
“It was just the determination and the girls had prepared for it really well . . . and the girls just wanted it.’’
Smith has coached the team for four years, winning two out of three grand finals.
In the Division 2 14/15 years grand final, minor premiers Rebels 9 also had a convincing victory 46-16 over Pandas 9.
Defender Leilani Fiatofa was awarded player of the match honours.
“She’s amazingly talented,’’ coach Shannon Wallis said.
“A sportswoman across a lot of different sports that always puts in 110 per cents.’’
Wallis was thrilled how her group of players completed an undefeated season in their third grand final in a row.
“Being a disrupted year, they still pulled it together,’’ Wallis said.
The core of the Rebels 9 team has been together since under 7s.
The proud coach also praised her side for the sportsmanship they displayed in an age group where the teenagers experience more physical contact.
“The girls did amazingly. It’s always a challenge for that age group,’’ Wallis said.
“They all start to find interests in other areas.
“They are a lovely bunch of girls.’’
In the closest game on Saturday’s grand final program, Rebels 4 emerged victorious 44-42 over Aztecs 7.
Aztecs 7 netballer Mia Stoessel was named player of the final for her efforts.
Another tight grand final featured SSW9 and Brothers 16 in the 12 years Division 1 decider.
SSW9 got up 15-12 with Ana Turuva chosen as player of the final for the winners.
The other player of the finals were:
Sophie Wilkins (representing Rebels 3 in the Division 2.2 grand final);
Tara Beauclerc (Pandas 2 in Division 3);
Kelly Maxwell (SWW2 in Division 4);
Kiana Turner (Goodna 5 in Cadets 1);
Sarah Bopf (Brothers 4 in Division 5);
Charlotte O’Brien (Murri 3 in Cadets 3);
Lauren Dann (Aztecs 8 in Cadets 2);
Samantha Turner (Brothers 13 in 13 years Division 1);
Lucy Goodwin (Aztecs 17 in 11 years Division 2);
Dakota Hargreaves (Aztecs 13 in 14/15 years Division 3);
Lauren Chaston (Brothers 15 in 13 years Division 2);
Jorja Crocker (Rebels 13 in 12 years Division 2);
Hayley Windolf (Brothers 19 in 11 years Division 1).
Full results wrap-up below.
Grand final achievement
After finishing her first grand finals as Ipswich Netball Association president, Nicole Virtue was happy and relieved at the same time.
Given the 2020 netball season was called off due to Covid concerns, the main hope this year was to get the competition completed.
INA officials decided to shorten the latest final series following the recent community sport shutdown.
However, Saturday’s full program of grand finals and some fun matches for other teams was delivered with immense satisfaction.
“It went really well,’’ Virtue said. “It looked a bit different in terms of how we presented it.
“We couldn’t have people congregate in large groups so we did a lot over the loud speaker and we had our management team go down to the court and deliver the medals and trophies.
“The main thing is we actually got the grand finals in. That’s always a big thing.’’
Virtue said the 2022 Ipswich netball season would take shape from the first week of February when annual gradings start.
Looking back over her first year in charge, Virtue thanked everyone who allowed Ipswich netball competition to resume with 1400 players after the 2020 disappointment.
“Most satisfying is the fact we had people out on the court to play games,’’ she said.
She said still being able to finish the competition after another community sport lockdown last month was also pleasing.
“The team work does make the dream work in the fact you have got people on committees for our association, you’ve got the clubs.
“Everybody plays their role in getting that Saturday season off the ground . . . and with all those amazing volunteers that can do it.’’
Virtue said she would stand for re-election.
“I would like to. I have invested quite a number of years on the committee,’’ she said.
“I’d love to stay on. There’s still a long list of things that I’d like to try and tick off. But ultimately it’s the clubs’ decision.’’
September 4 Covid competition grand final results
Division 1: Aztecs 1 def Rebels 1 49-27
Division 2.2: Rebels 3 def Brothers 2 38-31
Division 3: Pandas 2 def Goodna 2 50-37
Division 4: SWW2 def Aztecs 6 41-34
Cadets 1: Pandas 5 def Goodna 5 46-20
Division 2.1: Rebels 4 def Aztecs 7 44-42
Division 5: Brothers 4 def SWW3 41-13
Cadets 3: Pandas 6 def Murri 3 39-13
Cadets 2: Aztecs 8 def Rebels 8 48-23
14/15yrs Division 1: Pandas 8 def Aztecs 11 47-18
14/15yrs Division 2: Rebels 9 def Pandas 9 46-16
13yrs Division 1: Murri 4 def Brothers 13 54-33
12yrs Division 1: SSW 9 def Brothers 16 15-12
11 yrs Division 2: Aztecs 17 def Brothers 21 21-11
14/15yrs Division 3: Aztecs 13 def Rebels 10 28-18
13yrs Division 2: Brothers 15 def Rebels 11 26-17
12yrs Division 2: Goodna 8 def Rebels 13 35-14
11yrs Division 1: Rebels 15 def Brothers 19 41-28.
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