17/U & 19/U Nationals schedule released

Friday, March 9, 2012

The countdown is on to the 2012 17/U and 19/U National Netball Championships from March 30-April 4 in Launceston, Tasmania.

The NSW 17/U State Team, chasing their first title since 2007 after finishing runners-up in 2011, open the tournament against Western Australia before facing Queensland in the afternoon of what could be a challenging opening day.

The NSW 19/U State Team kick off their title defence against Tasmania in the opening round and will have to wait until Round Four before their match-up against last year’s runner-up Victoria.

Preparations are well underway for both teams who had a good hit-out against a number of Waratah Cup teams as well as the ACT State Teams at the State Team Round Robin recently and with AIS players returning to the fold this weekend, coaches will able to work with their full complement of players.

Pleased with her team’s performance at the round robin, NSW 19/U Head Coach Megan Simpson remains wary of perennial rival Victoria.

“There’s no doubt that we’d love to retain the title but I’m conscious of the other states and how many players they’ve retained from last year and I know Victoria… they’ll be a very strong team because they’ve retained most of their players so I expect that will be a challenge for us, as is Queensland and South Australia, they’re usually pretty tough as well,” Simpson said.

“All we really need to focus on now is what we do well, what our strengths are and limiting our weaknesses so that we can, every time we step out on the court, put together a performance that’s worthy of winning the title.”

NSW 17/U State Team Schedule:
Round 1               8.30am March 30              NSW v WA
Round 2               3.00pm March 30             NSW v QLD
Round 3               10.30am March 31           NSW v ACT
Round 4               4.30pm March 31             NSW v VIC
Round 5               9.00am April 1                    NSW v NT
Round 6               3.00pm April 1                   NSW v SA
Round 7               11.30am April 2                 NSW v TAS
Semi Finals          April 3
Grand Final         12.45pm April 4
Full 17/U Nationals Schedule

NSW 19/U State Team Schedule:
Round 1               1.00pm March 30             NSW v NT
Round 2               7.30pm March 30             NSW v SA
Round 3               1.00pm March 31             NSW v ACT
Round 4               7.30pm March 31             NSW v VIC
Round 5               1.00pm April 1                   NSW v TAS
Round 6               7.30pm April 1                   NSW v WA
Round 7               2.30pm April 2                   NSW v QLD
Semi Finals          April 3
Grand Final         2.15pm April 4
Full 19/U Nationals Schedule