Academy Netball and Softball athletes storm the Coast

Written on the 24 August 2016 by SWSAS

THE South West Sydney Academy of Sport Netball and Softball squads have returned from Maitland, after successfully competing at the annual Australian Invitational Youth Games.

The tournament is part of the Hunter Festival of Sport and features a wide range of sporting competitions with Netball and Softball being two of the most contested sports.

Netball was contested in two divisions with representatives from the 11 NSW Regional Sports Academies, plus the States very own NSW Netball Academy participating.

The South West Sydney Academy was one of several Academies strong enough to participate in both divisions and was placed top of the table in each, going through day one undefeated.

The Academy knew day two would be challenging as both squads were yet to play their fierce rivals being NSW Netball's, very own Sydney Netball Academy and the tough Western Sydney Academy of Sport.

Day two started off strongly with round wins by both squad, but their undefeated runs came to an abrupt end with both divisions going down to the very strong Sydney Netball Academy.

The girls from the south west continued to show resilient form against some very competitive opponents and held onto their second placings for the remainder of the competition in both divisions.

Academy Head Coach Van Nguyen said, both teams put in outstanding efforts and she was very proud of their team and individual performances.
Van Nguyen said the South West Sydney Academy Netball program is in a continual annual state of review, with a view to providing our region's pre-elite netballers the best development pathway available to support their representative progression.

This year Softball saw the entry of two female teams from the USA looking to take on the very best teams in NSW.

The Academy's boys' team again demonstrated its outstanding skills and team spirit finishing a tough competition in 1st place, whilst the girl's took on our international guests and the best NSW could offer, finishing an excellent 4th place overall.

Head Coach Peter Doherty was quoted saying, this year has been one of our strongest years, with a number of Academy athletes already making various NSW and Australian sides. And, it is anticipated that a large majority of our current Academy Softballer's will gain selection into upcoming State Camps.

Nominations are now open for netball and will soon open for Softball to all athletes who either live, play or go to school in the Camden, Wollondilly, Campbelltown or Liverpool local government areas.