Netballers overcome odds to win grand final in spirited display

A LOCAL netball team beat the odds — and the opposition — to win its grand final recently.

Dijurigur Netball under 11s team have been nominated for a team spirit award. Pictured (left) is Kiara Tai, 11, Deykodah Gibbs Ebsworth, 12, Kaliayh Marlowe, 11, Natasha Dixon, 10, and Lakeisha Dixon-Stone, 10. Picture: David Swift

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THE Didjurigur under-11 netball team has been nominated for a Simonds Homes Team Spirit award in the NewsLocal Junior Sports Star after winning its grand final with just five players.

A netball team can play with five players, but a full complement of seven plus reserves allows players to rotate and have a break from the fast-paced sport.

Without an interchange player, the under-11s would have had to forfeit the match if one of the girls could no longer play.

So the team struggled through three injuries without calling time, so they could continue playing their Blacktown City Netball Assocition finals games.

Dijurigur netball under 11s team have been nominated for a team spirit award.

Coach Sharon Gore said she was so proud of her team’s efforts she designed T-shirts for them with new nickname “the Fab Five”.

“For the last four games of the season, we were down to five girls,” Ms Gore said.

“We had to forfeit three times and then we just made it into the finals.

“They played marvellously. They were down the whole game until the end ... they won by three points.

“(It) just proves never give up and try your best.

“It doesn’t matter what size you are, it’s how you use it; my smallest girl is my strongest and all together these girls are the best.”

Junior Sports Star Award 2016 nominations have closed. For information on finalists and important dates, visit juniorsportsstar.com.au.