North Central Region under-15s assistant Laura Angove, Peyton Olssen, Avah O'Farrell, Luella Williams, Katie Angove, and coach Betty McCoomb. Photo: Jordan Townrow
The North Central Region U15 outfit will be leaning on a strong Echuca influence when it takes on all competitors at the 2026 State Titles in Melbourne this weekend.
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Teams from the North Central Region can be comprised of players from Bendigo, Castlemaine, Central Victoria, Deniliquin, Echuca, Heathcote, Kyneton, Loddon Valley, Maryborough, Rochester and Woodend.
Echuca and District Netball Association’s Betty McCoomb will coach the squad, which features two players from the Echuca Football Netball Club in Milla Ryan and Luella Williams, and a duo from nearby Rochester in Michala Keele and Jasmine Watson.
“We've got quite a strong team with lots of versatility in it, abilities to play multiple positions,“ McCoomb said.
“Not an overly tall team, but a very dynamic and fast team with the ability to take on the body, take on the game, and move the ball quickly and efficiently, and I think that's going to be one of our major strengths for the weekend.”
Echuca Football Netball Club duo Milla Ryan and Luella Williams. Photo: Jordan Townrow.
The under-15s competition is competitive, with 18 teams all vying for the title.
Given the size of the competition, the North Central side will play 17 games across the long weekend, and it believes it has the intensity and intelligence to cause headaches for opponents.
“They are not afraid of driving hard and taking the ball, so they won't stop, they'll go and take it,“ McCoomb said.
“So the opposition's going to have to be wary of the fact that we've got a never-say-die attitude and any loose ball on the court is ours, and we're happy to chase it and take it.
“And our ability to read the play, we have quite a few girls that can really read the play well and intercept. They'll be able to drive and take that intercept when the opposition won't realise that they've recognised the play.”
A couple of bottom-age prospects also feature in the side, having played at under-13 level only last year.
Metro-based Henderson are the reigning champions in the under-15 division, having defeated Barwon in last year’s grand final.
The North Central girls have finished 14th in each of the past three editions, and although better results are desired, it is the opportunity to measure the development of the group that remains most important.
“Every coach says they want to make it to the grand final and win, and of course that's what you want,“ McCoomb said.
“I also want to see improvement for the girls from where they started with us back in October.“
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