The Under 16 National Championships were held from 1-9 July in Perth. Teams from across the country competed. With Victoria dominating, bring home a gold and silver medal!
Victoria had four teams that travelled across to the tournament.
- Vic Metro Men
- Vic Metro Women
- Country Men
- Country Women
The teams are selected through a trial process from the athletes that are in our State Development program. Each team travels with a full off court team of coaching staff, physiotherapist and team manager who ensure the athletes remain fit, healthy and have a positive mindset. Plus the families that travel across for the tournament who were ensured they were the loudest cheer squads!
The first three days of competition our Victorian teams cemented their authority and put all of the other teams on notice. They were on a hot winning streak and had not dropped a game! The Country Men’s team had the toughest draw with three games in just over 24 hours and winning each one.
As the tournament continued all our teams kept their heads held high and took the court every game with determination and tenacity, relying on their training and team work to give each game their all.
It became obvious that South Australia was going to be Victoria’s main threat to take bragging rights, in both grand finals it was South Australia and Victoria, South Australia taking out the women’s trophy and Victoria ensuring the men’s trophy stays with us for the second year running.
Victoria’s country women’s team didn’t come home empty handed- they won the Trish Fallon Fair Play Award, awarded to the team that played fair and respectfully on and off the court.
Victorian officials were also represented with Chloe Dunmore selected to be crew chief for the Women’s Bronze medal game, statistician Danielle Wilson selected for the Women’s Gold medal game.
Whilst Nick Dale and Darcy Williams selected to referee the men’s Bronze Medal game.
Congratulations to everyone who was involved with the event!
Photography courtesy of: Michael Farnell (Sports Imagery)
