Sport
25 December, 2024
BEST OF 2024: Sand Goannas triumph at 2024 Koori Netball Tournament
Sand Goannas won mixed U13-15 division of the 2024 Koori Netball Tournament!
First published November 2, 2024.
A Gilgandra mixed netball side featuring three sets of siblings and plenty of speed and shooting talent has won the under 13-15 mixed division of the 2024 Koori Netball Tournament at Charlestown last weekend.
On the Saturday, the Sand Goannas played five matches, winning four and losing one. On Sunday, they played another three matches, winning all three games, to finish the preliminary rounds with seven wins and one loss to qualify for the semi-finals.
In Sunday’s semi-final, the Sand Goannas were able to defeat WMPD Mallos Magpies 11-4. The Sand Goannas met Di-Di’s in the final, the only side that had defeated them in the preliminary rounds. After losing to Di-Di’s by five goals in the preliminary rounds – Sand Goannas reversed that result exactly to win the final by five goals (13-8). Amazingly, the Sand Goannas had just one training session before travelling to Newcastle for the tournament.
With male players having backgrounds in basketball and rugby league, their speed and shooting skills transferred across to netball in a mixed team that also included some seasoned female netballers. The entire side bar one player is from Gilgandra – and that player had direct relatives living in Gilgandra in the side. A host of parents helped coach the side with Luana Reiri playing a lead role.
Three sets of siblings, including the Skyla and Cobie Carr, Kahlea and Cale McEwen, and Ariki and Huni Karaitiana were part of the side that also included Aylah Barnes, Acacia Reiri-White, Kirsten Louie, Ali Townsend, and Kyra Dean. Ariki Karaitiana was also named U13-15 Player of the Tournament. Keeping it in the family, Missy Karaitiana also travelled over to umpire.
The Koori Netball Tournament, held at Charlestown, a suburb of Newcastle, is the biggest Aboriginal netball tournament in NSW. This event attracts Aboriginal communities across NSW with the aim of increasing participation of Aboriginal women in sport and recreation in a fun, competitive, and inclusive environment. Almost 1000 players attended.
Sand Goannas team manager Lanie Barnes praised the side for their outstanding performances across the October 26 and 27 carnival. “It was very exciting,” Lanie said. “The side played well all weekend and to win the tournament was an excellent achievement.”
