More than 5,000 members of the netball community in Queensland have come together in a wonderful celebration of the game, with the 2020 Nissan State Age Carnival hailed as one of the best in recent memory.
In a year where there were questions as to whether or not the event could even go ahead, the tireless work of volunteers and staff was certainly rewarded, as 215 teams from around the State represented their Associations with pride at the Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex.
Altogether, 2,150 players, 273 coaches, 215 team managers, 187 umpires, 200 volunteers and spectators from around Queensland provided a tangible demonstration of the passion for netball that drives the game across the State.
The 2020 Nissan State Age Carnival was the largest community event approved to date in Queensland in accordance with COVID-19 regulations, with Netball Queensland, in conjunction with the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit, ensuring the health and safety of all attendees remained the highest priority.
With just short of 1,300 games played across 20 courts over the four days of competition, the 2020 Nissan State Carnival had been a resounding success according to Netball Queensland’s General Manager – Delivery Network, Matthew Battams.
“It’s been incredible,” Battams said.
“I’ve been on the exit gate each day and people are just thankful that we’ve been able to hold the event at all, given the year we’ve had I think blessed is probably the right word.”
All attendees, whether on the court or not, adapted successfully to the unique conditions and underlined the netball community’s ability to thrive in the face of any obstacle.
“We’ve shown our resiliency in the past by operating safely each week in netball Associations all across the state,” Battams said.
“Public Health were aware of that and were really comfortable those same people would do the right thing and I’m really proud of our entire community for the positive manner in which they engaged across all four days given the significance of this event.”
Overall, five different associations were crowned winners of their respective divisions.
Brisbane’s Metropolitan Districts Netball Association claimed three titles, while the Cairns Pythons, who travelled further than any other team to the event, won both the 12U and 15U Challenge, the latter despite having to forfeit their final game to catch their return flight.
Blackwater Netball Association were represented at State Age for the first time in 16 years, and the Multi Sports Complex also hosted sides from regions including Mackay, Maranoa and Townsville, alongside those from the South East.
After a highly successful event this year, Netball Queensland looks forward to Nissan Stage Age in 2021, in particular the ability to welcome back those Associations who were unable to participate in this year’s event.
Winners
- 12U Championship - Metro 12yrs Div 1
- 12U Challenge - Cairns Pythons
- 13U Championship – Hinterland District Netball Association 13 Purple
- 13U Challenge - Metro 13yrs Div 2
- 14U Championship – Southport Carrara 14 Blue
- 14U Challenge – Metro 14yrs Div 2
- 15U Championship – Logan Zodiac
- 15U Challenge – Cairns Pythons
Finn Daniels
