Local teams impress at Rochester Netball Invitational

Four divisions played out a series of round-robin games in the hope of qualifying for the grand final.

In the end it was Goulburn Valley League club Echuca which took out the Open A and B divisions in their respective deciders against South Bendigo and Deniliquin under lights.

Rochester under-17 won its grand final in front of a home crowd, defeating Mooroopna, 17-10, while Shepparton also outplayed a Mooroopna team to take home the under-15 title.

The Open A, under-17 and under-15 winning teams were presented $500 by the Community Bank team, while the Open B winning team won $100 for its efforts.

Grand final umpires were also presented with a commemorative towel for their work on the day.

Rochester A-grade coach Linda Rasmussen said the tournament had been a great chance to prepare for the upcoming GVL season.

“It was a really good opportunity to try combinations,” Rasmussen said.

“Playing the multiple games, we could change up every combination across different halves or games.

“It was a high standard of competition, so we got a good hit-out. Echuca, they are a powerhouse, with a lot of numbers to choose from, so it was good to see how we were travelling.”

Rasmussen was also full of praise for Rochester’s up-and-coming talent in the juniors.

“Our under-17s, they are a bunch of girls who have been playing together through under 15s and are a really talented group,” she said.

“And the under-15s are really eager to learn. It’s great to have a lot of local talented netballers around.”

With many of the club’s players back on court for the day, Rasmussen said it had been fantastic to see everyone back and enjoying sport again.

“Rochy, we’re a pretty sport proud place. I think everyone was excited to see family and friends back playing the sport they loved,” she said.

With another practice match to go before the regular season starts, Rasmussen said the team would need to "iron out some old habits". but remained confident of its chances this year.

“We’re going to be really competitive and we have options for different combinations where we haven’t had that choice before,” she said.

“It’s a fun group of girls and it should be a competitive year.”

Event co-coordinator Meagan Keating thanked the Community Bank for its major sponsorship, along with Rochester Netball Association and local families for their work on the day and in the canteen.