Yamba starts final as favourite in school netball challenge
YAMBA enters today's Daily Examiner Primary School Netball Challenge as firm favourite after convincing wins in its round matches last month.
The Lower Clarence champion tackles South Grafton in the final of the competition at the Grafton Netball courts at 2pm.
The girls will go into the final confident of a win, although fatigue might be a worry for some, coach Jill Newberry said.
"The majority of the kids have only just returned from Canberra from their Year 6 excursion," Newberry said.
"I've told them all to go to bed early and get their rest.
"There are a few nerves but they are all looking forward to the match."
The Daily Examiner Challenge is a highlight of the senior schools' sporting calendar, but has been allowed to slip into recess at the younger age division.
However, the hard work of South Grafton teacher Ainsley Pope has resurrected the competition and she is hoping her girls can spring an upset today.
"Yamba were also the last team to win it, so they have history behind them as well," Pope said.
"We will definitely be running the competition again next year and are looking forward to building it back up in stature."
This year seven schools - Yamba, South Grafton, Grafton, Iluka, Maclean, Gulmarrad and Chatsworth Public Schools - participated in the round matches.
