Hunter Netball kicked off its 2023 season last night, at Charlestown Leagues Club.
The Hunter Netball Metro League team, will take to the court in just two weeks time for round 1 of the Netball NSW DOOLEYS Metro League competition, going head to head with St George.
Coach Lexi Unicomb is really looking forward to taking this group of athletes forward in 2023. The team have trained hard over the off season, and we can't wait to hit the courts and get on with the season, Coach Lexi said.
Lexi also had the opportunity to announce the on court leadership team for the Metro League team in 2023, being Captain Emily Morgan, and Vice-Captains Ella Smith and Zanthe Rheinberger.
At the launch of their season Netball NSW Board Member Vincent DeLuca OAM, spoke about the passion and commitment that comes with being part of Hunter Netball, acknowledging the stewards of the game who have taken an innovative approach to showcasing netball. Everyone on the NSW Netball Board know just how passionate the netball community is in the Hunter.
Tim Fava, Netball NSW Executive General Manager, Community and Pathways shared with all who attended the exciting year ahead for netball. The Hunter region will play a key role in this years Senior State Titles being hosted by Maitland and Newcastle Netball Associations respectively, bringing together all of the States talented players, umpires and coaches. We will again in 2023 see Mens Netball included in the Senior State Titles and we are soon to announce something else which will demonstrate the inclusive and accessible nature of netball, Tim said.
Chair of Hunter Netball, spoke with the athletes and their families and Hunter Netball Community Partners about the strong women of netball off the back of this weeks International Day of Women, acknowledging Wendy Archer AM, Chair of Netball Australia, former President and Life Member of Netball NSW and former President, Life Member and Patron of Port Stephens Netball Association who this week was named as part of the Power 100: The Most Influential Women in Sport.
Wendy Archer AM, is also a board member of Hunter Netball, and there is such great depth of leadership that continue to drive the game of netball forward in the Hunter.
Hunter Netball Community Partners were all acknowledged for their contributions to our game, being KBA Insurance Repairs, Newcastle Airport, Newcastle Weekly, McDonalds Bennetts Green, Hunter Homes, Greater Bank and Regent Street Physiotherapy.
With the depth of our board members, and the support of our Community Partners real change and sustainable pathways for our Hunter athletes will continue to be realised for the team at Hunter Netball.
Hunter Netball will again take a boys team to the 2023 Junior State Titles in July and some of the boys along with coach Anthony Jarvis and team manager Ashlea Robinson where also in attendance last night.
Photo credit: Photolook Newcastle (thank you Ed)