After four days of intense competition, the 2021 Nissan State Age Championships have come to an end and the winners across all divisions have been decided.
The youngest age division, the 12-and-under, was won by Logan Purple.
The team, coached by Pirihira Ahomiro, captured the title in style winning all seven games in the playoffs – and outscoring their opponents 113 points to 52.
“I’m excited, ecstatic… all the emotions are coming out now because all these girls’ hard work, all their effort and hard work and months of training just paid of,” Mrs. Ahomiro said following the final game.
“Every game has been a tough game, but they go out like it's a grand final. That's why I'm super proud of them. They go out to win every game and they put in the work”.
Most of the players in the Logan Purple 12 side sported purple braids during competition and Mrs Ahomiro said that was but one contribution made by the parents.
“The parents have supported and are the main reason why these girls are so close and they're so bonded,” she said.
“We're not at a club, we're a family, and that's what's made them be the champions that they are”.
Logan’s neighbours Conurbia Park Netball Association (CPNA) emerged victorious in the 15-and-under Championship after winning six of the seven games they contested in the playoffs.
For coach Rylee Ruhi it was a second consecutive title having guided Logan Zodiac to the same achievement in 2020, and he was confident in his team entering the weekend.
“Winning was our team goal at our very first training back in January now,” he explained.
“We just kept our eyes on the goal when State Age was first postponed. We were at home doing Zoom sessions and just trying to keep that bond together so that when it did come back on, we can go out and execute well”.
CPNA were involved in a fierce competition with Sunshine Coast, Southport Carrara, and Metro.
The four teams entered the final round of the playoffs separated by just one point, and the draw placed CPNA against Sunshine Coast in a likely winner-takes-all scenario.
“I just told the girls to go and have fun,” Mr. Ruhi said when asked about his approach to the decisive game.
“I told them don't do anything that you're not used to - just play the game, play the play the way that you've always played and that'll get us over the line”.
Elsewhere, Hinterland District Netball Association (HDNA) Green won the 14-and-under Championship following their success in the 13-and-under Championship in 2020, and Underwood Park Black won all their games on the way to the 13-and-under Championship title.
A full list of winners can be found below.
12U - Logan Purple 12
13U - Challenge – HDNA 13 Green
13U - Championship – Underwood Park 13 Black
14U - Challenge – DPNA 14 Green
14U - Championship – HDNA 14 Purple
15U - Challenge – Bundaberg 15/1
15U - Championship – CPNA 15 Navy
