GOLDEN City Netball Association president Rachel Thomsen has praised the association's loyal band of volunteers, coaches and players after being nominated for a major award.
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The GCNA was this week announced as one of four finalists for the association or league of the year category of the 2020 Netball Victoria Community Awards.
Golden City junior netballers returned to the court early last month for an eight-week season, after playing three matches in July before the season was put on hold due to a spike in coronavirus case numbers across Victoria.
An ecstatic Thomsen said the award nomination was a reward for the amazing work of many within the association in getting the 2020 season back up and running
"It really is a credit to the volunteers - without them we just wouldn't have been able to deliver a season," she said.
"But also to have the full support of your coaches and your players, being part of the competition.
"I'm really impressed with how everyone has banded together.
"The year has been particularly challenging for everyone in the netball community. I'm really proud Golden City has been able to gain some pretty significant recognition for the work we've done."
The GCNA is joined as finalists by the Geelong Central Netball Association, South West District Football Netball League, Waverley District Netball Association.
The winner will be announced Friday next week during an online event on Netball Victoria's Facebook and YouTube channel
Win or lose, Thomsen hoped the award nomination would provide the association with the impetus to end its season on a high.
Teams have two rounds of matches remaining, with the top two in each division to participate in grand finals on December 12.
"I know I'm on a high and the committee is, so hopefully the players are over the next few weeks," she said.
"I'm always enthusiastic when it comes to netball, particularly when it comes to Bendigo.
"It will be wonderful being able to share it with everyone when we catch up on Saturday."
While there has been no shortage of restrictions and new rules to ensure the return of competitive netball, including the one spectator per player rule, Thomsen said everyone at Golden City had played their part to comply, making the job of volunteers and officials much easier.
Meanwhile, Thomsen said the GCNA committee was keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for Saturday.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting 37 degrees for Bendigo following an earlier week forecast of 42.
Under the GCNA's heat policy, play is abandoned once the forecast reaches 36 or above.
"We will play it by ear - it (the forecast) was up to 42 at one stage," Thomsen said.
"We have teams, like Carisbrook, who travel, so we don't want them journeying across if it's going to be pushing close to being called off.
"It really just depends, the heat can really kick in or it can dissipate pretty quickly. But we'll continue to keep a close eye on it."
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