National Netball Champions for Intermediate Girls Team in Adelaide Tournament

SCHOOLS IN ACTION

NATIONALS ALL SCHOOLS NETBALL CHALLENGE 2025

From dreams to reality… this was the story of our Intermediate Girls Nationals Netball Team.  As the team arrived in Adelaide, they were excited and grateful for the opportunity to play in a National tournament against schools from all over the country and couldn’t wait to hit the courts.

Day 1 started with the devastating loss of Dempsey McDonnell in the warm-up, however the girls showed incredible resilience and rallied to ultimately go through the entire Tournament undefeated.  With all players showcasing their netball talents and abilities, their mantra was “a team approach to every game”, which soon became the envy of many schools. Depth of talent and versatility were incredible assets, and coach Clare Hope was able to take full advantage of these.  Her ability to rotate players through a variety of positions gave the entire squad plenty of time on court, especially through the early rounds.

The qualifying rounds saw the team defeat St Aloysius College – Tasmania, Bendigo – Athlete Development Program, Melville Senior High School – Western Australia, Marsden State High School – Queensland and Kildare Catholic College – New South Wales to sit in second place on the ladder heading into the finals.

The Semi Final saw the girls face off against Marsden State High School who had finished third.  Despite defeating this team by five goals in the rounds, the girls knew that finals netball was a next-level challenge. From the very first whistle, an epic contest unfolded. It was a fierce, fast-paced, and tightly-contested match, with neither side able to gain a clear advantage. The scores were locked at the end of each of the first three quarters, setting the stage for a nail-biting final term.  Marsden struck early in the fourth quarter, edging ahead by two goals. But our girls didn’t flinch. With composure and determination, they rallied, effected crucial turnovers, and made the most of every opportunity they created. Their relentless effort turned the deficit into a 3-goal lead by the final siren. It was a brilliant and mature performance, showcasing sheer grit, resilience, and a never-give-up attitude. Not only did they claim victory in one of the most spectacular games of the tournament, but they also secured their place in the Grand Final against St James College – Brisbane, who also progressed through undefeated.

The Grand Final promised to be another fierce contest, with St James College having also defeated Marsden earlier in the tournament. As the girls stepped onto the court, they carried with them a quiet confidence, fuelled by their hard-fought Semi Final triumph. From the opening whistle, they were met with a highly-physical challenge from St James. Yet, once again, the girls showed remarkable composure and maturity beyond their years. They absorbed the pressure, stayed focused, and responded with disciplined, skilful play to edge ahead by quarter time.  With each passing quarter, their lead steadily grew as they asserted control over the game. Calm, calculated and clinical in their execution, the girls dominated the final term, breaking the game open and shutting down any hopes of a St James comeback.  It was a masterclass in resilience and teamwork, with all players getting some minutes on court. They secured a well-deserved victory and at game’s end were crowned National Champions for 2025.

It was not only a thoroughly-deserved win for an exceptionally-talented team, but also an especially rewarding moment for their coach, Clare Hope, whose pride in the group was matched only by her glowing praise for their performance across all three days.  It should also be noted that the girls’ attitude and gameplay on court attracted the praise of many bystanders as well as the event organisers.

CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS! You are the National All Schools Netball Challenge, Year 9/10 High Performance Division CHAMPIONS!

We would also like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to all the parents and families who played a vital role in making this incredible opportunity possible. Without your support and willingness to personally commit to getting your child to and from Adelaide, we could not have competed in the tournament. Your belief in this experience and your unwavering support were the backbone of our journey. Thank you for helping turn this dream into reality… the girls certainly did you and the College proud.

Mrs Maree Pearce, Team Manager

Mia Cox, Sophie McDermott, Eden Pollard, Adeline Neilson, Eva Grant, Mrs Clare Hope (Coach), Imogen Brown, Molly Beasley, Juliet Hogan, Lexie Fennell, Tarli Nihill, Lilly Teuma

Mia Cox, Adeline Neilson, Eden Pollard, Dempsey McDonnell, Sophie McDermott, Eva Grant, Mrs Clare Hope (Coach), Lilly Teuma, Tarli Nihill, Juliet Hogan, Lexie Fennell, Molly Beasley, Imogen Brown