Sides were selected last October and competed at a number of carnivals up and down the coast in preparation for the event.

Under 15s

The State Age Championships would be the last year our under 15’ would represent the Manning Valley as juniors. In 2017 this team was victorious, winning division four as under 14s, so the girls stepped up to division three.

The team led by Samantha Chicken and Katelyn Page, as co-captains and team mates Akala Bungie, Elissa Turner, Jasmyn Sawyer, Jessica Eagles, Keira Bosher, Lara Slade and Tahlia Tisdell travelled to Eastwood Ryde Netball Association, the division three hosts.

Having set themselves the goal of finishing in the top 10, the team played 17 games of tough, physical netball over three days. Opponents from as far North as Ballina and Casino, right down the Central Coast, South to Tumut and Eurobodalla and inland to Griffith and Tamworth.

Manning won four matches, against Ballina, Great Lakes, Tumut and Mudgee. In many other matches they were only defeated by 1-3 goals. With four new players in the team this year, they showed grit and courage, challenging some of the top placed teams. They displayed great sportsmanship and determination during all their matches, right to the end of the tournament where they placed 13th out of 18 teams.

Under 14s

Players: Sophie-Clare Croker  (captain), Brooke Smith (vice captain), Ella Farland, Ella Bransmen, Caitlin Rodgers, Hannah Elford, Emily Heath, Emily Summerville and Ashlee Vickers. Coach Narelle Dark, assistant coach Sarah Rodgers.

After an awesome season last year we were moved up to compete at this year’s State Age in division two held at Camden. We started with a win against Dubbo and a draw against Woy Woy. From there we only had one more win against Parramatta on day three. We had a number of losses but many weren’t by many goals and we had many comments from clubs saying that they were surprised how well our girls played. Our girls were strong in all arrears of the court. Manning came 16th two and are looking forward to next year’s competition especially now the players have had a taste of a higher division.

Under 13s

Manning Valley 13 years representative team: Alexandra Cross (captain), Emma Shoesmith (vice captain), Jessica Ferris, Mali Hoadley, Tilly Hollis, Neevah Hunt, Chyna Johnson, Samira Mitchell and Josephine Stewart. Coach Marion Neale and manager, Sasha Cairns.

Day one was pleasing for the 13s with wins against, Singleton, Grafton, Nambucca and Griffith a draw against neighbouring association, Great Lakes and a loss to Cessnock, who went on to win the division. Day two was tough with wins against, Muswellbrook, Mudgee and Eurobodalla. The girls really worked hard in their game against second places Tumut and it was a nail biter, with Manning going down by only 3 goals. Other losses on day two were to Ballina and Leeton. Day three saw some very tired legs and a few of our girls nursing injuries. However, we were proud of how they continued to give their all. Wins on day three were against Southern Highlands, Wollondilly and Tamworth. Our losses on day three were to Westlakes and Port Stephens.

The 13s team showed determination and strong team work to finish eight of 18 in division three. They were a credit to their association in the way they conducted themselves on and off the court.

Under 12s

This was the first State Age Championship for our 12s. It is a physically and mentally challenging event, with a gruelling draw seeing Manning play the other three teams at the top of the ladder all on day Three of competition. After already playing 15 games of netball across three days it came down to the final game to decide who would be victorious. Manning Valley played Nambucca Valley and both teams had been undefeated throughout the event. After previously playing Nambucca at two carnivals leading in to State Age, it was one game a piece and nerves were high. Our girls played their hearts out in the grand final, they never once gave up and fought hard right to the final whistle, however Nambucca were just too strong on the day taking the match 19-15.