Netball
23 September, 2024
Saints 13-and-under netballers secure back-to-back premierships
The Horsham Saints 13-and-under netball team have gone through the season undefeated, sealing the season with a nine-goal win over Horsham.
The Demons started fast, scoring two goals apiece from Luella Burke and Poppy White to take a 4-0 lead.
Stevie Tucker scored the following two goals for the Saints, but the Demons, through Poppy White, extended the lead to three.
Ivy Hofmaier and Tucker worked well together to level the scores at the five-minute mark.
The rest of the quarter was goal-for-goal, with the Demons taking a one-goal lead into quarter-time.
Both teams battled hard in the second, keeping the match goal-for-goal, but the young Saints started to draw ahead. Ruby Bethune was fantastic in defence, providing drive, and centre Neeve Robertson began to take control. The Saints took a three-goal lead into half-time.
The Saints started well in the third quarter and extended their lead to eight goals at three-quarter time.
With a solid lead, they held firm in the last to run out 32-23 winners.
Ivy Hofmaier scored 17 goals for the Saints, while Stevie Tucker scored 15. Ruby Bethune was outstanding at goal defence and was named best on the court.
Poppy White led the way for the Demons with 15 goals, with Ryder Thomas and Luella Burke scoring five and three goals, respectively. Jemma Hoffmann was outstanding as the goalkeeper for the Demons.
Saints coach Zeena Kelm was proud of the girls for withstanding the pressure.
"Being undefeated, there was a lot of pressure for our girls, and we knew what our set seven were, but we had tricks up our sleeve if we had to move them around," Kelm said.
"They were outstanding as we were able to leave them in their set positions because they did what they needed to do.
"There were many games with mercy rules during the season, so the girls were thrown in all positions. It's a credit to them for being versatile if we needed it."
Kelm dished up cupcakes to her players to celebrate the win and explained why she did it.
"In the finals series, as we have had week on, week off, and some of these girls being 11 and 12, on Tuesday's, I would bring doughnuts to training," Kelm said.
"I would sit the girls on the court and talk to them about what we want to get, how we want to get it, how we can manage our nerves, how they are all feeling and how much we enjoy each other.
"The idea today was that I would do something more special to celebrate as they did what they said they would do, and I couldn't be prouder."