Netball SA is proud to be hosting its biggest event of the calendar year this June long weekend, presenting the annual Country Championships.
A competition that dates back to 1963, it draws nearly 1,400 country netballers to Netball SA Stadium to compete in 427 games.
This year’s event will host 96 teams with 11&U, 13&U, 15&U, 17&U and Senior Grades across the three days.
Over the June long weekend, participants will be able develop and up skill in all facets of the game including umpire testing, coach and umpiring mentoring and bench official e-scoring.
Thunderbird centre and 2023 premiership player Tayla Williams, who hails from the Balaklava region in the state’s Mid North, said her time spent at Country Championships helped her become the player she is today.
“Some of my fondest memories in netball are at Country Champs and it’s the weekend that you always look forward to throughout the year,” Williams said.
“Seeing everybody just enjoying netball and what it brings to people in terms of the friendships and fun that you have over that weekend, is just really exciting for everyone who gets to be involved.”
Tayla Williams sporting her junior Hummocks Netball Club dress ahead of Celebrate Netball Round.Williams started her netball journey with the Hummocks Netball Club in the Adelaide Plains Netball Association before joining Contax Netball Club.
The 24-year-old is amongst two other country Thunderbirds players in captain Hannah Petty and superstar WA/GA Georgie Horjus.
Williams said her and her fellow country teammates’ success was a testament to the skill and talent of country players rising through the pathways.
“Some of our best and most talented players come from country South Australia, and it’s a really good pathway to be involved in and the opportunities you get with Country Champs being one of them,” Williams said.
“It has been great to be able to progress to where we are here with the Thunderbirds.”
“But those memories in the country are ones that I will cherish forever and it has played a big part in my netball journey.”
Netball SA would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Country Champs Committee, Pink Army Volunteers, SEDA Students, NSA Community Coaches, NSA Bench Officials and Umpire and Coach mentors and testers for making the event possible.
