A HOST of clubs will crank up their pre-season campaigns at the Community Bank Rochester Netball Invitational this Saturday.
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The tournament, to be staged at Rochester Recreation Reserve, has again attracted teams from multiple leagues or associations across central and northern Victoria.
It has been boosted in 2018 by the first-time inclusion of a 15-and–under division.
Eight clubs have nominated in the open division headed by reigning tournament champions Eaglehawk.
The Mali Roberts-coached Hawks will encounter fierce opposition from Bendigo league counterparts Kangaroo Flat and South Bendigo – both with new coaches in 2018 - Goulburn Valley league 2017 grand finalist Shepparton United and finalist Echuca, and reigning Murray league premiers Moama.
Eaglehawk won last year’s final 23-13 against Shepparton United, which has again signed-on for action.
Maiden Gully YCW, with a new coach of its own in former South Bendigo coach Benita Swatton, will be represented in the open and 17-and-under divisions.
The tournament is in its sixth year and has again generated widespread interest.
“The event continues to grow in size and is now renowned for being a major part of many clubs pre-season programs,” tournament director Jacinda Rasmussen said.
“We had our first registration within five minutes of application notifications being sent out to past clubs and via our social media sites.”
Clubs from the Bendigo, Goulburn Valley, Kyabram and District, Loddon Valley and Murray leagues and Bendigo Strathdale Netball Association will battle for honours across the three divisions.
Inglewood is well-represented in the junior grades following on from a season in which the Blues reached finals in both the 17-and-under and 15-and-under grades.
Open: Eaglehawk, Echuca, Kangaroo Flat, Maiden Gully-YCW, Moama, Murchison-Toolamba, Rochester, Shepparton United, South Bendigo.
17-and-under: Eaglehawk, Echuca, Golden Square, Inglewood, Kangaroo Flat (BSNA), Maiden Gully YCW, Moama, Numurkah, Rochester, South Bendigo, Shepparton Bears, Shepparton United.
15-and-under: Eaglehawk (BSNA), Echuca, Golden Square, Moama, Rochester, Shepparton Bears, Shepparton United.