Newman earns Thompson Medal

GISBORNE centre Tiana Newman yesterday became the first netballer from her club to win the Betty Thompson Medal as best and fairest in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League’s A grade competition.Newman earned best-on-court votes in nine matches.After the final card was called at the All Seasons Quality Resort, Newman was on 35 votes, with Sandhurst’s Meaghan Atkins and Strathfieldsaye Storm’s Kristen Wilson the joint runners-up on 20.A dental nursing trainee based in Sunbury, Newman’s clinical play through mid-court was behind a lot of Gisborne’s success in the 2009 campaign.“To be a Betty Thompson medallist is a great honour,’’ Newman said shortly after being presented with the medal by one of the sports doyens.After playing half of last season in A grade, the 19-year-old became a regular in the No.1 team for the red, white and blue.“I started the season at goal attack, but went to the centre about the third round.’’Co-coached by Paige Rymer and Simone Neal-Trevallin, Gisborne ended the home-and-away series in second place.The line-up was beaten in both finals contests.“It was the first time our A grade team had finished so high on the ladder, and, hopefully, we will have learnt a lot from the finals campaign.’’Although there is plenty of speculation about whether Gisborne will join the Ballarat Football Netball League, Newman hopes the club stays in the Bendigo competition.“A goal for us is to win an A grade netball final in Bendigo.’’ In the A reserve competition, Sandhurst’s Briona Giddings capped a superb season by winning the Jenny Holborn Medal.Giddings was best-on-court in four consecutive matches, rounds nine to 12, and then racked up nine votes across the last four games.The Sandhurst star polled 27 votes, with Strathfieldsaye’s Ashlee Barbetti the runner-up on 22. Sandhurst’s Ellie McGrath was a runaway winner of the B grade best and fairest.McGrath gained the maximum three votes in 11 matches and finished on 41.Runner-up was Kangaroo Flat’s Alana Conway on 25. The medal-winning spree for Sandhurst began with Chloe Watson polling 25 votes to claim the Carol Sing Medal as fairest and best in the 17-and-under competition.Going into the final round, Watson and Kangaroo Flat’s Maddy Wharton were joint leaders on 22 votes.Watson was best on court for the maroon and blue against Eaglehawk.The top two in the race for the 17-and-under award will be back on the Bendigo Aquatic Centre court for this Saturday’s grand final. Several other awards were presented yesterday.The Bendigo Bank Player of the Year was presented to Strathfieldsaye Storm’s Jody Warfe.Golden Square’s Jessica Geary was named the inter-league player of the year.The champion goal throwing award was won by Sandhurst on 3469 goals.The David McCann Memorial champion club award was presented to Sandhurst Football Netball Club president Kevin Walsh.The CVGT Rising Star for netball was presented to Sandhurst’s Abby Gilmore.Many of Sandhurst’s netball stars will be on court in this Saturday’s premiership deciders.Grand final draw in the Bendigo Bank BFNL netball competition:17-under: Kangaroo Flat v Sandhurst.B grade: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.A reserve: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.A grade: Kangaroo Flat v Golden Square.