More than 280 secondary students from across North West NSW have come together for a full day of netball in Inverell — with one school making a particularly impressive commitment to be part of the action.
Tenterfield High School students and staff made the longest journey of all, travelling over 150 kilometres — nearly two hours each way — to take part in the Netball NSW Schools Cup, hosted by Inverell Netball Association on Thursday 24 July.
“We have been going to the Schools Cup for almost 10 years,” Tenterfield High school teacher Lea-Anne Butler said. “We play netball in sport on a Wednesday, so the students have the skills and get a chance to compete against more experienced players on the day. There is currently no junior netball competition in town so our girls and boys are eager to participate."
Their dedication is a testament to the event’s reputation as one of the state’s most inclusive and enjoyable school sports days.
The Inverell event featured 28 teams from six schools — including Warialda High, Emmaville Central School, Holy Trinity Secondary, Inverell High, Macintyre High, and Tenterfield High — competing across five divisions. While some participants were seasoned players, others were stepping onto a netball court for the first time.
Games were centrally timed, with 12-minute halves, a two-minute half-time break, and four minutes between rounds — keeping the day fast-paced and engaging for players and spectators alike.
Adding to the competitive edge, teams that finish in the top two of the four competitive divisions will progress to the Regional Finals, to be held in Tamworth on 10 September.
With a carnival-style atmosphere and games played during school hours, the Netball NSW Schools Cup is designed to be accessible for students of all abilities. Many participants don’t play organised sport outside of school, making the Cup a rare chance to experience team sport in a fun and supportive environment.
"We love welcoming schools from right across the region,” said Trish Crews, Executive General Manager of Communities at Netball NSW. “It’s great to see so many students trying something new, having fun with their friends, and just being part of something active and positive. That’s what the Schools Cup is all about.”
Earlier this year in June, the primary edition of the Netball NSW Schools Cup held in Inverell reached full capacity, with 47 teams from six schools filling every court at the venue.
The Schools Cup is Netball NSW’s largest and most inclusive schools-based netball competition, involving over 25,000 students annually across public, Catholic, and independent schools.
Running from February to November, the competition progresses through Local Days, Regional Finals, and a State Final — giving students the opportunity to represent their school and possibly progress along the netball pathway.
With schools like Tenterfield going the extra mile — quite literally — it’s clear the Schools Cup continues to spark passion, teamwork, and community spirit across the state.
