Port Hedland Netball Association 16-and-under dominates at Fuel To Go & Play Association Championships

Port Hedland Netball Association’s 16-and-under side conquered all at the Fuel To Go & Play Association Championships in Perth last week, coming out on top in the division eight grand final. More than 300 teams travelled to Perth for the competition, with PHNA taking a team of 12 athletes and four officials to Perth for the 16-and-under division eight to play five games over the June 1-3 weekend, winning four out of those five games. PHNA president Cath Widdup said the trip to Perth was a great opportunity for the girls to showcase their skills and hard work and meet a living legend of the Pilbara. “Because we’re in the Pilbara, it’s really hard for them to be identified as athletes and progress their career into netball, so this is one of the opportunities where there are scouts all weekend looking at players to find talent and upskill them,” she said. “The team was also visited by Faye Gladstone, who is the sole founder of Port Hedland netball. She lived up in the Pilbara and put Karratha on the map 53 years ago but now lives in Perth so paid the girls a visit on the Saturday. “She had a chat to them and amped them up a bit. It was good for them to learn the history of Port Hedland netball.” Ms Gladstone was a past president and is now a life member of the Port Hedland Netball Association, having the netball courts named after her. The 16-and-under division eight side worked their way into the semifinals for a nailbiting match against Albany, drawing at the end of the game and needing extra time. Their skills and determination allowed them to secure two crucial points, bringing the final score to 26-24 in favour of Port Hedland. Once making it into the grand final against Esperance, the girls showed no signs of slowing down and dominated their opponent, 26-14. “The girls are really excited. They were jumping around screaming and were so happy. It was a really awesome weekend for player development and player exposure,” Ms Widdup said.