The team’s 12 players and two staff will make the trek from north Queensland on a 5.55am flight on Friday as Cathedral returns to the Primary Schools Cup for the first time since 2019.
Of the 1100 children competing in the two-day event at the Hinterland District Netball Association courts at Mudgeeraba, none will travel further than those from Cathedral to take part.
Hitting the road is nothing new for this group however, who have competed together at carnivals across north Queensland including the Kathy Tarpaulin Netball Carnival on Palm Island where they emerged as competition winners as well as experiencing the beauty and culture of the location.
“This experience really brought the group together and gave them the motivation and desire to be even better netballers,” Cathedral Netball Coordinator Bec Bulloch said.
“This experience was a catalyst for the girls' even deeper love of the game, enthusiasm to develop their skills and also for us returning to PSC in 2023.”
Just getting to the Primary Schools Cup has required a huge financial commitment from parents of the athletes as well as support from local businesses that sponsor Cathedral’s Junior Sports Academy.
Bulloch however believes taking on the competition of the Championship Division at the Primary Schools Cup will be an invaluable opportunity for those athletes to learn and expose themselves to the standard of competition that potentially awaits in the future.
“The hope is that by attending PSC, we will provide these players the chance to experience another level of competition that will show them potentially the players and skills that they may come up against if they want to go down the performance pathway in the future,” Bulloch said.
“Hopefully the exposure at this event will also lessen the shock for these players that is experienced by many young regional representative netballers when they attend their first Junior State Age competition against the strongest in Queensland in the coming years.
“These girls are the best kind of people you could ask to take away in your team. They love netball, their school, each other and a good challenge.
“I know they will give their all and be great sports on and off the court.”
Proudly supported by Major Events Gold Coast, the 2023 Primary Schools Cup will feature 100 teams from 70 schools with 21 set to participate for the first time.
Girls and boys in Years 4-6 will take part in the two days of netball action, experiencing competitive netball in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.
Full information about this year’s Primary Schools Cup can be found here.
