Welcome everyone to the 2021 Hampden Football Netball League Season.
Who would have thought we would miss a whole season on community football and netball due to a global pandemic in the 21st Century and in particular, our lifetime. No doubt all clubs are eagerly awaiting the start of the competition and we wish all clubs the best of luck.
Although we had a break from playing in 2020, some of the clubs have certainly put the time to good use working tirelessly to facilitate upgrades to their netball facilities. Some of the major works that you will notice include the Cobden FNC relocating their main netball courts to the west. They are also adding a large shelter area and tiered standing spectator platforms. The Portland FNC Club are also upgrading their playing surfaces and adding more shelter and tiered seating. The Koroit FNC are upgrading their Netball Change Rooms and the South Warrnambool FNC have resurfaced their second court and will have the benefit of an electronic scoreboard for this season. Whilst not all of these facilities will be available for the first couple of rounds they will certainly be worth the wait. Well done to all concerned.
In the first match of the year on Good Friday, we will see South Warrnambool take on the reigning premiers of 2019, Koroit. South’s playing list will be strengthened this season with the inclusion of Annie Blackburn up forward and Carly Watson in defence. Leesa Battistello – a first-year Open HFNL Coach – will have a lot of knowledge to guide her youthful team to their first finals campaign in a few years. Koroit on the other hand will be fronting up without two of their most experienced players, Koroit may need time to settle as a team, but I’m tipping they’ll still be strong runners this year, and we’ll see them in September. I believe this will be a very competitive match and a close encounter to open up the HFNL Netball Campaign for 2021 but I think South will show glimpses of what they are capable of producing with their team list and will come away with the four points.
Best of Luck to all teams competing today and for the whole of the 2021 Season.
Author: Josie Logan
