Naomi part of victorious Qld 15 Years Netball Team

Naomi Fitzpatrick. (posted 16.08.10)

For the first time in more than a decade the Queensland Under 15 Netball team has won the School Sport Australia Netball Championships for 15 Years and Under.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College Year 9 student Naomi Fitzpatrick proudly wore the maroon colours at the championships, held in Toowoomba from July 24-30.

At just 14 years - the youngest member of the team - Naomi had a fantastic experience both on and off the court, and looks forward to putting the knowledge she gained from such a high level of competition to good use in her future netball endeavours.

It was only two months ago that the Queensland State Championships were held in Caloundra and the team was chosen. Since then the girls, including Naomi, have been meeting each weekend for a training session, with the week before the competition requiring attendance at training and practice games each day.

Girls from all the states and territories of Australia competed, travelling from as far south as Tasmania, across from Western Australia and down from Darwin in the Northern Territory.

The victorious Qld 15 Years and Under Netball Team. Victoria and NSW went in as favourites, with the other states expected to fight it out for the other two berths in the semi final and final rounds.

After six days of intense competition Queensland emerged victorious after defeating Victoria 44-30 in the Grand Final.

Coach Danielle Edwards said she was extremely proud of her team.

“We showed our fighting spirit to come back from some tough games and a loss to New South Wales in the rounds to become National Champions,”

In eight games the Maroons lost just one game to New South Wales. But they soon redeemed themselves when they took on the Blues in the Semi-Final, beating them and securing a place in the Grand Final against Victoria.

“We built a commanding lead to be up 11-4 at the first quarter break, thanks to an excellent defensive effort from Captain Jessyka Ngauamo and defenders Peta Coles and Kristen Oxenford,” she said.

“From this point we continued our strong game, stuck to our game plan and ran out winners.

“Everything seemed to flow and go our way, we were in charge and never looked like giving up the lead, despite a fight back in the third quarter from Victoria.

Queenslanders Jessyka Ngauamos, Hulita Haukinima and Dominque Scott were all named in the Australian Schoolgirl team to travel to New Zealand in June 2011.

Hulita Haukinima also named the Queensland player of the tournament.

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