Ready to score in 2022

Like lots of winter sports, netball was hit hard when Covid stopped play last year. Helensburgh netballers are now looking forward to a fresh start. Iris Huizinga reports

Mia loves netball. The talkative eight-year-old was just getting into the season with her team, the Lollipops, when Covid struck after seven games.

“I was very sad because I also play tag and I really like playing both of them,” says Mia.

Her family is heavily involved with the Helensburgh Netball Club: Mia’s sister Tahli (15) coached the Lollipops and mum Cassy Cooper is the club’s sponsorship coordinator and a coach.

Tahli made sure the Lollipops kept their skills up during lockdown by setting a team bingo challenge. All the eight-year-olds and their parents took part.

Cassy says: “They had to complete things like watching a game of netball, practising passing with somebody, a certain amount of shooting, drills. They loved it.

“Tahli will kill me for telling you this. She practised her jumping with balloons that were left over from a birthday.”

Mia: “All of the balloons had helium so they kept floating up. She had to jump up high and get them from the ceiling. My sister is pretty tall and got most of them. A lot went under the coffee table.”

Mia says netball is fun: “You get to know everyone … You don’t have to do just one thing in a game, you can do different stuff. You can sometimes choose what bib you want to wear. With centres they both have Cs on their bib, they can go in the whole court except the circles. That’s why it’s fun to be in the centre when it is a cold day.”

Mia makes it sound easy but confides: “It’s really hard to get the ball from the other players.”

Kylie Skiller is another key figure at the club: she’s president, registrar and umpire coordinator. Asked about last season, she is philosophical.

“Once lockdown hit, that was it for us. It’s a shame for the girls because they’ve lost their games and they just have so much fun playing.”

Cassy: “Three or four teams were leading the competition and missed out on the opportunity of going the whole way to a grand final win. So for the ones at the top that was very disappointing.”

Fortunately, the club did not run into financial trouble. “Our saving grace has been our main sponsors,” Kylie says.

This year’s new sponsors include Aevum Physiotherapy, Helensburgh Veterinary Clinic and Helensburgh Tyres. Player of the week awards were also introduced, thanks to sponsorship from Gelato Man, Gallardo’s Pizza and Lee@The Bodyshop.

Cassy’s wish for 2022 is to get a full season in. Kylie agrees. “We want to see as many players return as we can, and as many teams.”

They also hope to start 2022 with a local ladies competition in February. The summer competition is scheduled for Tuesdays.

Registration will start earlier than usual, in early January 2022.

Kylie: “The competition itself is starting earlier as well. NSW and our district Illawarra have decided to have three pre-season games before the actual competition starts, to help grade teams. This way teams also have an opportunity to play more games and get more for their money. ”

There were 15 teams last season. “We had an extra senior team this year. We also had about four nine-year-old teams altogether, which was great, with a lot of new players. You can start playing from when you are seven. Boys can play at club level until they are 12, after that they have to outsource to New South Wales.”

For Kylie and Cassy it is all about players enjoying themselves. Mia has one final thing to say about her favourite sport.

“It’s very fun and anybody can play netball. I also made lots of new friends.”

Netball Registration opens early January and closes mid February, Fees: 8-9yrs $155; 10-17yrs $170; 18+yrs $185. Active Kids vouchers accepted. Three preseason games will be played in March/April. The competition will start 30 April. Facebook Helensburgh Netball Club, email helensburghnetball@gmail.com or contact Kylie on 0401 967 015.