The week-long 2025 National Netball Championships wrapped up on Wednesday with a sensational grand final day and Victoria found itself competing for medals in the 17-and-under and 19-and-under age grades.
Jacinta Todd (Nathalia) coached the younger age group to a bronze medal, beating Western Australia 46-36 in the third versus fourth play-off.
Todd’s side finished the round-robin in second with a 6-1 ledger, but fell by four goals in the semi-final to eventual runner-up NSW.
Meanwhile, a certain Shepparton starlet went one further on the court.
Barooga product and Shepparton, Bendigo Strikers and Melbourne Mavericks’ under-23 player Mackenzie O’Dwyer helped Victoria’s 19-and-under outfit reach the grand final against a heavily-fancied NSW unit.
O’Dwyer ran the midcourt as Victoria finished pool play in third, beating WA in the semis to punch its ticket to the big dance.
Though O’Dwyer and co battled valiantly, NSW prevailed by seven goals in a high-intensity, high-calibre decider that went the northern state’s way 35-28.
Echuca playing coach Belinda Lees served as an assistant to Victoria’s 19-and-under side, and was rapt how the team banded together to almost go all the way.
“It’s been a really fantastic experience and to bring a group together to be so cohesive both on and off the court, and to work as a team like they did was the biggest achievement to come out of the whole campaign,” Lees said.
“The girls did a wonderful job; we probably played a team that was up and about, very confident and probably physically stronger and a bit older and more mature as well.
“So the way they battled it out, I think they showed great character to keep fighting it out in that grand final.
“Such good netball was played in that game, so I’m very privileged to sit there so close to the court and get to watch it, to be honest.”
Victoria’s 19-and-under side thrashed Northern Territory 45-18 in its opening match, and it’s no surprise Lees could sense a deep tournament run was on the cards.
“Maybe we didn’t have the calibre of big name players as a couple of the other states, but you definitely do start to get a feeling about a group that something special might actually eventuate,” she said.
Speaking of big names, O’Dwyer matched it with the best midcourters Australia has to offer in her age-grade and above for a week straight.
Playing the majority of matches in centre with some cameos in wing attack, Lees was quick to praise the blossoming talent for her performance at nationals.
“‘Macca’ showed immense character; she ran the centre position for a lot of the week,” Lees said.
“Being bottom aged, to come up against the calibre of player that she did and be able to hold her own, and not only that but really show some maturity in her game, take on feedback and battle it out, especially in that grand final, was impressive.
“I hope that the local kids now have seen a young girl go through that pathway and that’s open to them, and they strive for that themselves.”
As for Lees, the 2025 tournament was her third nationals as assistant coach, but the first post-COVID-19.
She relished the chance to throw on the state coaching hat once more — alongside Tatura’s Fiona Boyer (19-and-under apprentice coach) — and is eager to bring her lessons back to the Goulburn Valley to help fast track the development of locals.
“Sometimes you find where things fit and where you feel like you belong and I’m really privileged to have had that experience and be trusted to assist in leading a group of our next future stars of netball,” she said.
“I just love being in that environment, learning and growing in coaching because you need to make sure that you continue to do that and then being able to bring that back to your home and your own community is really important.”
13°C