A GRATIFYING grand final day capped an amazing against-the-odds season for the Golden City Netball Association.
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Five teams were crowned 2020 premiers in their respective divisions, including one of the association's standout combinations of the last three years, Boomerangs Pink in under-14 section one.
The visiting Carisbrook Redbacks claimed the 17-and-under honours in a tight contest against Boomerangs Purple, Maiden Gully YCW Chisholm won the 14-and-under section two title, while Panthers (section one) and St Monica's Maroon (section two) emerged victorious in the 13-and-under games.
The grand final honour role represented a mix of existing GCNA teams and those which joined the association this season when their usual leagues were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
While crowd numbers were limited due to the one-spectator per player rule, president Rachel Thomsen said the association had done all it could to ensure as many as possible could see the action and a good day was had by all.
"It was so good that the weather was as good as it was and we managed to get a few close games in, which was pleasing," she said.
"We did move all the games to the outside courts and we did get quite a few spectators on the other side of the fence, who weren't allowed into the complex.
"The complex is set up quite well to do that, particularly on the top court - court 12 - for the 17-and-under game.
"That was Carisbrook, which won that. They have been travelling over every week and are obviously a football-netball club which has missed out this season. They have been terrific coming across and a had a good show of people there."
A stop-start season for the GCNA launched at the later than normal time of July and initially lasted just three weeks before Victoria went into COVID-lockdown for a second time.
The competition was reignited in October and went for a further eight weeks for most teams, with an extra week for teams playing in grand finals.
Thomsen took one final opportunity to praise players, coaches, parents, spectators and the association's hard-working committee and volunteers for their support and diligence in ensuring the season went ahead.
"It was wonderful after all the setbacks to go through and finish and just have the teams come back and play," she said.
"Everyone was so grateful - there was just a really good all-round feel from everyone.
"We loved doing it and they loved being able to play netball.
"It's a credit to our volunteers and committee - without them we wouldn't have got to the end."
It was wonderful after all the setbacks to go through and finish and just have the teams come back and play.
- Rachel Thomsen
Grand final results
17-and-under: Carisbrook Football Netball Club Redbacks 34 d Boomerangs Purple 28
14-and-under section one: Boomerangs Pink 52 d Harcourt 14
14-and-under section two: Maiden Gully YCW Chisholm 51 d Brumbies Gold 29
13-and-under section one: Panthers 35 d St Therese's Tippett 24
13-and-under section two: St Monica's Maroon 17 d. Lockwood Purple 14.
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