Sport: Boys Netball  

Upper Hume Tournament - Runners Up

 

Twenty eight of our boys took part in the School Sport Victoria Upper Hume Boys Netball carnival last Friday 6th of June at the Barr Reserve Wangaratta precinct.

 

Our Seniors couldn’t quite defend the crown they won in 2023 as Intermediates, but this claim an admirable 2nd place, finishing with 2-1 win-loss record.

 

Coached by former Australian U21 Netballer Zelda Yeates, they had big wins against Catholic College Wodonga (16-4) and Wodonga Senior Secondary College (11-4).

 

However, Galen  jumped us in Round 1, leading 10-2 at half time thanks to the almost-200cm Goal Shooter Hamish Laverty who was dominant. 

 

In a cruel twist, both of Laverty’s parents are Wangaratta High alumni - mum Larissa Benci was Captain of our State Champion Year 8 Basketball team of 1995, and dad Evan was in our State Runner-Up Junior Football team of 1991 (alongside our Vice Principal John Paola). Both teams feature in our Soon-to-be-launched Sport History section on our website. 

 

Despite us matching them in the second half with Tom Ford moving to Goal Keeper, the damage was done. Final score 16-8.

 

Best players were the Ford brothers Tom and Jack, plus Lachie Pensak, with Jye Laxton top scorer.

 

Our Juniors, coached by veteran player and umpire Cindy Chalmers, were our next best outfit, finishing 1-3 for the day, claiming a 10-1  win against Wodonga Middle Years College (Felltimber), and getting within 2 of Catholic College (11-13).

 

Year 8 Nick Jones was named best player, along with Year 7 Ollie Fisher. Fisher, daughter of 2024 Wangaratta Magpies C Grade Premiership coach, and Rep Netball coach Laura (histwin sister Evie plays Rep), was the only Year 7 in the team, and continues to star in every Sport he plays in. Year 8s Luke Pensak and Logan Wilson also impressed. The 3 Pensak brothers made history as the largest set of brothers to play Boys Netball for us on the same day. Fisher, Jones and Bailey Bridgfoot were the chief scorers.

 

Our Intermediates fought hard but being all Year 9s (plus then losing 4 of our Starting 7 to an excursion) were undersized and undermanned, going 0-4. They had a special guest coach in 2025 U17 State Team Netballer Milly O'Kane, who taught them some useful tips in a couple of games, and in the final match they led Galen 5-2 at half time, but coughed up the lead and lost 6-7, missing a shot at the buzzer to level.

 

Captain Clarence Lampa was brilliant again, claiming his 2nd Best Player award in 2 days (along with Soccer). Tall shooter Chadd Williams was our leading scorer, including a flawless 12 goals in Round 1 against Felltimber. Zeke Hogan, Nick Dark Jr and Andrew Fraser were also crafty around the ring.

 

Thanks to all players, coaches (Yeates, Chalmers and Milly O’Kane), umpires, (Tilly Gibson), helpers, Sandy “Newmo” Newman for convening, and Kev McGennan for the action shots.

 

Jud Mullins

Sport Coordinator