by Luka Sterjovski
The senior boys netball team from William Clarke College have turned heads after an impressive undefeated run in the first stage of the Netball NSW NGS Super Schools Cup.
Competing in the Baulkham Hills competition, the squad made up of Year 9 and 10 students emerged victorious against Windsor High, St John XXIII Catholic College, and another team from their own school. Their performances have earned them a spot in the Sydney Metro Regional Finals, scheduled to take place at Netball Central on Thursday, September 5th, 2024.
This team is characterised by a rapidly growing interest of boys for netball, as reported by Maddie Sietsma, the college’s Master in Charge (MIC) of netball. Their impressive achievement is not only a reflection of their skill and teamwork, but also of the opportunities provided by the Schools Cup, which allows for students across the state to give netball a go, regardless of their prior experience.
For many of the boys on the team, this competition marked their first serious netball expedition. Some had previously played in inter-house competitions run by the school, and others were completely new to the sport and were keen to test themselves.
Rohin Reddy, one of the players, shared how his decision to apply was influenced by positive experiences in inter-house netball games, which eventually led him to try out for the team. “I had played a little bit of netball in inter-house and thought I should give it a go with a couple of friends,” Reddy said.
Damon Blade and Max Baker shared similar sentiments, and quickly found themselves enjoying the competitive aspect of the sport. “Neither of us had played before but thought it would be fun,” Blade said. Baker added, “I joined the team because both my parents were good at netball, and I thought I could be good at it too.”
Goalkeeper Sonny Sterjovski was also inspired by family influences, accrediting his interest to his mum, who has always envisioned her children having a passion for netball akin to hers:
“My mum has always wanted someone in her family to pursue Netball and my sister never got into it so when the information for this team came out, I thought it would be a great opportunity to not only try out a new sport, but to make my mum proud.” Sterjovski shared.
Despite their varying levels of experience, the team quickly found their rhythm. Coming from a range of sporting backgrounds, the boys found that a range of transferrable skills worked well for them. Finn Clinton, who had played soccer before, shared how his experience in moving into space and making himself available off the ball translated well into netball.
Archie Droll credited their undefeated streak to the camaraderie within the team and their overall athleticism, with Max Baker highlighting the importance of efficiently using every team member. “We worked really well as a team and didn’t leave anyone out. We would use everyone to get the ball down the court, rather than relying on just two or three people,” Baker explained.
The team’s performances did not go unnoticed, with several players being talent-identified by Netball NSW scouts during the competition. These players were invited to attend a male training camp held in Manly, with experienced coaches delivering specialist skills sessions and game play.
With the Sydney Metro Regional Finals on the horizon, the team is aware of the challenge that awaits them, but remain confident in their abilities and are eager to continue their winning streak. “I think if we just work well together as a team again and try our best, we will be in with a shot,” Baker said. The team plans to refine their skills and strategies in the lead-up to the finals, with the hope of continuing their stellar form in September.
Nothing but smiles on the boys’ faces after their triumphant campaign.Sietsma praised the team for their enthusiasm and willingness to learn:
“The boys were enthusiastic and encouraging of one another, and worked really well as a team. They spent their ‘off’ games watching other teams to gain a competitive edge, as well as our well-versed girls' teams to learn more about the positions they were playing on court,” Sietsma said. She is proud of the team’s accomplishments in their first year of competition, and is excited to see how they will perform in the next stage.
The success of the William Clarke College boys’ netball team serves as an inspiration for other young boys to get involved in the sport. Players like Hinton and Grey encourage their peers to give netball a try, emphasizing the game’s many benefits. “Netball is a fun sport, and I would recommend that boys have a go”, Hinton advised. Grey added, “Netball is a great sport to play with mates, is good for fitness, teamwork, and can develop some great skills.”
The Netball NSW NGS Super Schools Cup continues to be a valuable platform for students across the state to experience netball, whether they are pursuing an existing passion or exploring a new interest.
As this William Clarke College team prepares for the regional finals, their journey serves as a reminder of the opportunities and excitement that netball can offer to all students, regardless of their background or experience in the sport.
Learn more about NGS Super Schools Cup here
