MAKE no mistake, Bendigo netballers are heading to Ballarat with one goal in mind, to win.
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Bendigo’s open netball coach Melissa Ryan has named a versatile and experienced line-up to take on the city’s arch rivals as part of the country championships on Saturday.
Despite the team not able to train together in the lead-up to the annual clash, Ryan is confident Bendigo has the talent to topple Ballarat.
“I am extremely happy with the side,” she said.
“The calibre of the team speaks for itself.
“Most of the girls have played together at some stage and there is a great mix of club representation in the team, which is very important.
“It shows our competition has grown.”
Maryborough’s Ingrid Hopkins and Strathfieldsaye’s Bianca Jones will make their inter-league debuts for Bendigo.
Hopkins has had Victorian Netball League experience, while Jones has risen through the Storm’s ranks and has now earned a spot in the club’s A-grade team.
“She is a strong defender with good ball skills,” Ryan said.
“The combinations we have been able to put together is exciting.
“They are really lovely girls and they all have respect for each other and that will show in the game.”
Ryan said one of the most pleasing aspects of the team is their ability to adapt to different situations on court.
“A lot of the girls have played together previously and so they are familiar with their styles of play,” she said.
“They are all experienced players that understand different systems and what is happening out on court.
“They are experienced enough to make the right judgement call.”
Ryan said she was looking forward to working with some of the region’s most talented netballers.
Earlier this year she was an apprentice coach with the Victorian under-17 team at the national championships.
“I am excited to get back into coaching,” she said.
“I love inter-league.
“It is a game where players can play together and represent the league rather than against each other.”
Golden Square coach Lia Marrone will take over as head coach of the open team after the inter-league challenge.
The Bendigo, Ballarat senior netball match will be played at Eastern Oval at 1.30pm and the under-17 team will go head-to-head at noon.
Bendigo: Meg Gilbert, Allira Hammond, Abbey Ryan (Golden Square), Jordan Macilwain, Ingrid Hopkins (Maryborough), Brianna Dalyrmple-Monro, Bianca Jones (Strathfieldsaye), Brooke Bolton (Sandhurst) and Maddie Stewart (Gisborne).
Ballarat: Georgia Cann, (Sebastopol), Lauren Atkinson, Lauren Jew (East Point), Melanie Allen, Molly Boyle, Kara Hart, Laura McDonald (Lake Wendouree), Jordyn Bibby, Stacey McCartin (North Ballarat City), Emma Henry and Erin Riley (Redan).
Meanwhile, the Heathcote District Netball Association is gearing up for it's inter-league clash with Central Murray and Loddon Valley's open netballers will face-off against Alberton at Bendigo's Queen Elizabeth Oval.
The schedule for Saturday's netball action: 10.15am - 13-and-under HDNA v Central Murray, 11.15am - 15-and-under HDNA v Central Murray, 12.30pm - 17-and-under HDNA v Central Murray, 2pm - seniors LVNL v Alberton, 3.30pm - seniors HDNA v Central Murray.