2013 Wrap up:

On Sunday 5^th of May the 4 Open Premiers from each Regional State League region travelled to Melbourne to compete in the Premiers Challenge.

Alberton FNL represented the Eastern region, Ballarat from the newly formed Central Highlands region, Hampden White FNL travelled from the Western region and Shepparton Bears represented the Goulburn/North East region.

The teams competed in a round robin style competition at the State Netball Hockey Centre from 9am, playing each region in a modified 2x 10minute halves games. For full results click here

Ballarat FNL and Alberton FNL finished first and second respectively and went through to the Grand Final at Hisense Arena as a curtain raiser to the Melbourne Vixens v Haier Pulse game.

In an entertaining match, Ballarat FNL held the lead for the first half of the game. Alberton kept fighting back to get within 1 goal and Ballarat would then take control once more and take the lead out to 4 or 5 goals.

Ballarat went into quarter time with a 1 goal lead and capitalised during the second quarter taking a 4 goal lead at half time. In a huge third quarter effort and an 8 goal turnaround, Alberton took a 4 goal lead going into the fourth quarter. The final score Alberton 48-45 taking out the 2013 Premiers Challenge Championship

All players and team officials were thrilled to be playing on Hisense Arena and mixing with the Melbourne Vixens and Haier Pulse players in the corridors.

Netball Victoria would like to take Garrleigh Trophies for their generous support for the Premiers Challenge.

Games 1      

9:00am: Goulburn/North East Vs Central Highlands                    Crt 1  

9:00am: Western Vs Eastern                                                             Crt 2                                                               

Games 2     

9:26am: Goulburn/North East Vs Eastern                                          Crt 1                                                                                 

 9:26am: Central Highlands Vs Western                                            Crt 2                                                      

Games 3                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

9:51am: Eastern Vs Central Highlands                                               Crt 1                                                                                                      

9:51am: Western Vs Goulburn/North East                                          Crt 2                                                    

Games will start at 9am sharp, warm up from 8:30am.
2 x 10min quarters, 1 min break at 1/2 time and 5min break between games

2012 Premiers Challenge 

Camperdown Night NA has taken out the 2012 Premiers Challenge in a curtain raiser to the Melbourne Vixens and Queensland Firebirds on Sunday.

They narrowly defeated Kangaroo Flat FNC at Hisense arena 51 -47 after progressing through to the preliminary rounds against rival regional teams.

Kangaroo Flat continually worked hard, applied pressure and tried to make some lead way on the scoreboard but to Camperdown’s credit they were able to withhold their fight back and take control of the match.

Camperdown certainly came to play and had the support behind them with a constant flow of support filling the bus for both the preliminary rounds and the final match.

The selected teams in the revamped Premiers Challenge are Open Division Premiers in their respective local areas and were provided with the opportunity to represent their region in this year’s Challenge.

All preliminary rounds were played at the State Netball Hockey Centre on April 29 and also included Shepparton United FNC and Sale NA.

There was very little separating each team and on only two occasions out of the six it was more than one goal. Camperdown boasted the biggest margin with a nine-goal win over Sale and continued to succeed taking out the title.

The change to a new format in the Premiers Challenge has turned out to be a great success. This year we had two competitive teams fight it out right to the end unlike previous years where the two best teams have not necessarily progressed through to the final stage.

It is now a round robin style with shorter games comprising of two ten-minute halves ensuring we have the two best teams in the final.

Congratulations to all teams for their competitive spirit and contribution to a successful Premiers Challenge

2012 Premiers Challenge Results

Grand Final: Hisense Arena 

Camperdown Night NA (47) defeated Kangaroo Flat FNC (51)

Preliminary Rounds: State Netball Hockey Centre

Round 1

29/4/12 9:00am Shepparton United FNC Red v Kangaroo Flat FNC (Court 1)

29/4/12 9:00am Camperdown Night NA v Sale NA (Court 2)

Round 2

29/4/12 9:26am Shepparton United FNC Red v Sale NA (Court 1)

29/4/12 9:26am Kangaroo Flat FNC v Camperdown Night NA (Court 2)

Round 3

29/4/12 9:52am Sale NA v Kangaroo Flat FNC (Court 1)

29/4/12 9:52am Camperdown Night NA v Shepparton United FNC Red (Court 2)               

2011 Premiers Challenge

For the first time the open division premiers from each of the four Regional State League competitions competed in a Premiers Challenge on  Sunday 10th April in Melbourne.

There were two preliminary games hosted at the State Netball Hockey Centre. Game 1 was between Goulburn North East RSL premiers Murray NL and Eastern RSL premiers East Gippsland FNL. Game 2 saw Western RSL premiers Hampden FNL - Blue take on North Central RSL premiers Kangaroo Flat FNC.

Both games were very close and showcased many talented regional players. In game 1 Murray NL came out strong against East Gippsland FNL. In the first quarter the nerves showed as both teams took a while to settle. Murray took an early 5 goal lead at the end of the first quarter but East Gippsland continued to show a fighting spirit in the second. The East Gippsland FNL shooters were very accurate which allowed them to reduce Murray NL's lead. In the third quarter the pressure increased and both teams used very opportunity to capitalize on a turnover. Murray NL were still able to maintain their lead over East Gippsland and in the end defeated a wiry East Gippsland 40 to 32 at the final siren.

In game 2 it was tight from the very beginning between very competitive teams Hampden and Kangaroo Flat. The goalers from both teams gave very little opportunities for the defenders to rebound, as they rarely missed a goal. At the first change of ends Hampden had a 1 goal lead. The intensity continued in the second quarter however Hampden pounced on a few little errors in passing by Kangaroo Flat. Hampden's lead increased to 8 goals forcing Kangaroo Flat to regroup in the break. Kangaroo flat were back in the third quarter after a few midcourt changes and some great shooting by both goalers. Going into the last quarter Hampden still had a lead but only by 4 and the opportunity to advance to the final was still up for grabs. Kangaroo Flat continued to fight it out but could not match it with the experience of some of Hampden's players who advanced through with a 47 to 44 goal win.

Murray NL and Hampden FNL advanced to the final which was played later that afternoon, with the match a curtain-raiser for the round nine trans-Tasman Championship thriller between the Melbourne Vixens and Adelaide Thunderbirds. Unfortunately the match was not as close as either preliminary games were but both teams continued to fight it out. A the first change Hampden had a convincing 11 goal lead. Hampden's pressure all over the court coursed a few error by Murray who also missed some opportunities in the goal circle. Hampden continued to find the ball and turn as many turnovers into goals with all player on court contributing. Going into the last quarter Hampden lead by 19 goal lead and could sense the title closer. In the end the class outfit of Hampden was too good for Murray and Hampden were named the inaugural 2011 Regional State Premiers Challenge champions.