A Flying Start - Junior Netball, the Vital Link

Developing and encouraging the juniors to aspire for the highest possible achievement's in any sport assures a future for that sport. Netball in Papua New Guinea is no exception.

Today's Junior Grand Finals was a refreshing look at the culmination of another year of dedication by those who nurture the young throughout the 2009 season, a glimpse at the good grounding they have been given in the rules of the game and a degree of glamour as you see the small tell tale attributes that young players adopt as they emulate the achievements of those in more senior teams.

Watching the U10's pit their most rudimentary of skills against each other on a court that the senior girls have difficulty shooting on, with bibs that are as big as they are and playing in the most unbearable of temperatures, would bring a smile anyone's face when you notice them adopting an almost ritual passion for the uniform they wear and club they represent. It makes you appreciate that the sport plays a meaningful and effective role in any childs healthy upbringing.

I was most impressed and drawn to the U10's Final between City Pharmacy Rebels and Esco Telstars more because they reminded me of my own children but also appreciating the PNG Netball Federation's never ending task to develop the sport throughout the country.

Just as intriguing I guess was the U13's and eventually the U15, U17 and U21 finals. The obvious progression of skill levels and a passion that emanates from team spirit. Unfortunately corporate PNG seems fixated with Rugby League to the exclusion of other sports leaving sports like netball to fend for themselves with very little resources. The junior Finals were an excellent reminder of where it all began for many associated with the game. To see the banners and tents, the streamers, the attendance of umpires and a host of senior members of the game dotting over their young charges is assuring, to say the least.

Of course, the larger your club, the better your chances of it making it to the finals and particularly for the junior divisions, the Esco Telstars signature is clearly present across the sport. In all but the U17 age division the mighty Telstars had a team in the Finals and with impressive results.

The U10's Final was won by Telstars 25-19 in a game that had everything from crowd participation to people running up and down the court barracking for their team. A real fun time. The U13A Final belonged to City Pharmacy Rebels, beating Esco Telstars 22-13. U13B's went to the Telstars against spirited Kaugere side who came dressed for the occasion in green and white body paint all over themselves and making a real fist of the game that was won only by the sounding of the full time whistle.

U15's, played between Rivals Snax Mermaids and Esco Telstars only just went to the red army 19-17 and the U17 the Mermaids and Rebels was a close contest between two very evenly matched teams. In the end, the mermaids held on to take the game 16-13.

The U21's again evenly contested went the Esco Telstars way, but not without a gutsy effort from both sides.

Despite the scorching conditions today, the courts continued to buzz right into the midday competition with the revelry of the the junior competition, something the seniors would do well to be reminded of.

They had a great day, we had a great day and netball had a great day.