We’re probably the underdogs a bit because we finished in the bottom three last year.
- HVNA under 15 captain Jacqui Palmer
HASTINGS Valley Netball Association will hope to end a recent lean patch of success at the State Age championships.
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This weekend the association will field four teams in division two at Bankstown.
They will be represented in the 15 and under, 14 and under, 13 and under and 12 and under matches against some of the best young netballers from around the state.
It is expected more than 3300 athletes from 309 teams across 87 associations will take to the courts for the 48th installment of the competition.
More than 400 coaches and 500 umpires will be joined by tens of thousands of spectators, marking the State Age championships as one of the largest female sports tournaments in Australia.
The local girls believe they have what it takes.
Under 15 captain Jacqui Palmer said they would look to improve on their performance from last year.
“We’re probably the underdogs a little bit because we finished in the bottom half last year,” she said.
They have a similar playing roster to last year with a few new additions and she said they were looking forward to giving it their best shot.
“It’s all about supporting each other and we have a really good coach in Anne Heaton as well,” she said.
The under 13s are believed to be HVNA’s best shot at glory although the under 14s and under 12s might have something to say about that.
“The 13s went well last year so they should go well again this year because they’ve got a similar team,” she said.
The girls will play over 20 games across three days of competition starting on Saturday and concluding on Monday.
HVNA has had regular top 10 finishes in previous years, but they haven’t had a win for a few years.
This year might be their year.