Sport: Milly O'Kane

Bronze Medal at National Championships

 

Congratulations to Year 10 student Milly O’Kane who picked up a Bronze medal at the Netball Australia National Championships at Homebush’s Netball Central in Sydney on Wednesday, April 16th.

 

Her Netball Victoria State Team finished 3rd of all states in the Under 17 comp, beating Western Australia 46-36 in the Bronze Medal match, with Milly playing a full 4 quarters at Wing Defence and Goal Keeper.

 

The VIC's were agonisingly close to making the Final, having lead NSW in the Semi Final with seconds to go, only for NSW to somehow level it in regular time with three second on the clock, and then win in Extra Time by 4.

 

Milly helped turn the tide in that Semi when coming on to WD at Quarter Time with the Victorians down by 8, helping them claw back to 1 down with an 11-4 2nd quarter.

 

She then stayed on the rest of the match when the stakes were highest. Great effort for the 16-year old who could be eligible to play again next year if born just 3 weeks later.

 

The VIC's had beaten NSW by 18 in the earlier round, and only lost by 2 to eventual Champions South Australia. They had finished the Round Stage in 2nd but with the best percentage (202.70). They had the talent to win the Championship, if things had fallen their way.

 

Other wins came against Northern Territory (68-2), Western Australia (39-24), Queensland (45-22), ACT (40-26), and Tasmania (38-28).

 

We have confirmed Milly is the first Wangaratta girl to make a State Netball team in 30 years.

 

 

Jud Mullins

Sport Coordinator