Darwin to host the National Netball Championships for the first time in a decade

Two young netballers say the sport has changed their lives as they prepare to captain the Territory at the highest level.

A young Alice Springs netballer will have an extra layer of motivation to perform on the national stage later this month.

Amelia Napier, the Territory’s Under 19 captain for the looming junior national championships (April 11-16), caught Covid just days before last year’s NT Link Netball Championships last June — an important development pathway where Darwin, Alice Springs and Palmerston representative teams compete.

Nearly 12 months on, Napier will be one of nearly 200 of the country’s best junior netballers, aged between 14 and 19, to descend on Darwin’s CDU Stadium for the national titles.

Amelia Napier, Netball Northern Territory executive officer Penny Shearer and Izzy Ross. Picture: Supplied.

The 72-match competition – divided into Under 17 and 19 divisions – returns to the Top End for the first time since 2013.

Napier, a Federal Netball Club captain who plays wing and goal defence, has prior experience at the level, having played in the Under 17 NT team at least year’s national champs in Hobart in April.

“It feels very special,” Napier said of being named captain.

Norther Territory Under 17 players Mackenzie Lynch and Hannah Torsney have been preparing for months before the national championships. Picture: Pema Pakhrin.

“(Last year’s competition) allowed me to become a lot more confident and resilient.

“It’s helped me a lot.

“I never would have imagined becoming captain. I didn’t think I could get it or was ready for it.”

She said squad members had been holding regular Zoom meetings to form connections and work on strategies: “I’m looking forward to playing with all the girls from the team as we only met for the trials.”

Meanwhile, Under 17 skipper and Nightcliff Tigers player Ore Ogeleye, who migrated with her family to the Territory from her native Winchester in the UK three-and-a-half years ago, was honoured to lead the team.

Northern Territory players Hannah Torsney, Charlotte Hateley, Ore Ogeleye and Mackenzie Lynch. Picture: Pema Pakhrin.

“I felt quite overwhelmed (to be picked) but I’m super super excited,” Ogeleye said, who was captain of Darwin for NT Link last year.

“When I was younger I definitely used to be really quiet and really shy ... it’s allowed me to become a lot more confident.

“I’m looking forward to having a home crowd (at the championships).”

Netball Northern Territory executive officer and pathway manager Penny Shearer said the local girls had been preparing since October last year.

“For them to be able to showcase their skills in front a home crowd is even more special, with families being able to support loved ones in person,” Shearer said.

“This is a significant opportunity for our entire netball community to be involved in.

“To say we are excited is an understatement.”

Under 19 squad

Hinemoa Boylan, Taylah Flack, Kiera Heffernan, Dee Dee Lambert, Amelia Napier - Alice Springs, Amber O’Sullivan, Isabelle Ross, Brooke Shields, Arrin Stirrat-Black, Ashley Vasquez, Kristy Wapper.

Under 17 squad

Nellie Crellin, Taylah Easton, Charlotte Hateley, Mackenzie Lynch, Ruby Mack,

Tjipsy Te Maiharoa, Grace Muir, Oreoluwa Ogeleye, Brooke Pusterla, Taelah Smith,

Molly Suradi, Hannah Torsney, Grace Kelly. Training Partners: Mackenzie Brooks, Sarah Gilbert, Jacintha Jensen, Inez Moi.