Power plays, three-point bombs and a deafening cheer for six-pointers have made the spring competition more popular than winter netball.
In Woolgoolga, netball isn’t just about traditional winter fixtures anymore — the Twilight Hi-Score competition has become the game everyone wants to play. With power plays, booming three-point shots from outside the circle, music pumping and relaxed rules, it’s netball with a social twist that’s drawing bigger crowds — and bigger smiles — every spring.
“It's basically a fast-five concept, except with seven players on court,” said Woolgoolga Netball Association Secretary, Mick Thorpe, who has been involved in the Association for 20 years and on the Executive for 10.
“It's all about having fun and we like to promote it as a competition where we can have mums and daughters, dads and daughters, mums and sons, etc. playing together. It just seems to be very popular and attractive.”
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The “Hi-Score” element is one of the major drawcards. The fast five markings on the court are used and scoring throughout the game includes one point from the inner zone, two points from the outer zone inside the circles, and three points from outside the circle.
“It proves so popular and hearing laughs when they bomb in the big, long ones from around the courts,” Thorpe explained
Adding to the excitement, each team nominates a “power play” quarter where points are doubled.
“You can score a six-point goal from outside the circle. The noise when someone gets one of those is quite deafening, followed a whole lot of laughter. It's a great atmosphere and very popular. The teams just walk away with a smile after the games, which is what you want to see.”
The atmosphere is a world away from traditional competition.
“One team is basically an all-family - there's cousins and mums and aunties and this and that, all in the one team, and they just love it, they love having them all out there together, it's really wonderful.”
The comp is open to high school-aged players and older, and it’s so popular that younger kids can’t wait until it’s their turn.
“In the first round of their first season, two of our under 13 rep girls, within about two minutes, banged six-pointers. The noise the first time was loud but then the second time, it was really deafening.”
For Thorpe, it’s those moments that sum up the competition.
“I love the laughs and all the fun and hearing all the screams when there's been a three-pointer and even more so a six-pointer.”
Thorpe said the relaxed vibe and low costs have been a huge drawcard at a time when many families are reconsidering their spending.
“I honestly think cost of living is a big, big part of it. It's been more noticeable this year that they've had to have a think about what their affordability is and they really look forward to this competition. Apart from the die-hard super competitive people, this is the one they look forward to playing.”
Previously registered players pay around $70, making it an affordable option to stay active, social and connected.
Running now through to the end of November, the Twilight Hi-Score comp is family-friendly, vibrant and all about enjoyment rather than high stakes.
“You can see as soon as people arrive and are out there, that it's vibrant, that there's a buzz, that they're relaxed, there's not the stress of playing a big competitive game, and just the delight they have in playing as family,” Thorpe said.
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