There is no questioning the inclusiveness at Coomera Anglican College, with it once again entering a mixed netball team for this month’s Origin Energy Primary Schools Cup.
Coomera will battle it out at the two-day event held at Firth Park in Mudgeeraba on Saturday September 18 and Sunday September 19, hosted by Hinterland District Netball Association.
Netball might have once been seen as a female-dominated sport, however if you ask the girls at Coomera, they will tell you the boys are more than welcome.
“They often speak about how it’s fun playing with the boys because you never know what to expect,” Netball Coordinator Megan Walker said.
“And say it’s a great experience playing with the boys and that it’s great to have strong players on the team that are faster and intimidating, with natural agility and a vertical jump.
“Talking to the girls they explained that having the boys in the team makes them change their game play, it adds a different dimension to the structure of the court and the movement.”
The girls sharing the court with boys wasn’t a last-minute decision according to their netball coordinator who told the story of how it came about.
“We held Netball trials open to all in year four to six, with one of the girl students encouraging the boys to trial,” Walker explained.
“She conducted a training session in the lunch break before trials to help teach the boys the rules and general game.”
Regardless of gender, Walker said Coomera Anglican College takes great pride in its programs that form the foundation for all Academy Sport at the college.
It is also hoped to help encourage more physical activity in students.
“At the college we know that by engaging students in sports we provide them with a sense of community and social connectedness, help develop motor skills, movement competence and positive emotional health,” Walker said.
“Our Netball program will prepare athletes for their progression through all sports focusing on Netball pathways.”
The Origin Energy Primary Schools Cup kicks off on Saturday September 18 at Firth Park, Mudgeeraba.
