In the same year the Roos are establishing themselves as a force in the Ovens and Murray the local association is drawing on its own league and surrounding districts to send age-based teams to a carnival at Kyabram.

They had intended to field four teams but some 60 girls in seven teams — two each in the under-17s, under-15s and under-13s along with an under-11 side — will now take to the court.

Roos’ coach and Corowa rep co-ordinator Beck O’Connell said players from Corowa-Rutherglen (O&M), Wahgunyah, Rutherglen (Tallangatta league), CDHBU (Hume league) and Rennie (Piccola) will all be part of the tournament on June 22.

O’Connell said it was a chance to develop home grown talent.

“We are not only hoping to bridge the gap between talented players coming in to play the best league and competition but to give these girls opportunities to play as much netball as possible, form friendships and learn life lessons,” she said.

“We want it to be a two-way street, feeding the clubs around here with quality players and developing a pathway into the Ovens and Murray.

“The response has just been amazing.

“This is also a brilliant opport-unity for local players to get some more high intensity experience while playing teams they are unfamiliar with and playing game after game and also to give them qualified coaches to help them with their respective league inter-league tryouts.

“This year will be a trial run and we will only be competing at the Kyabram tournament, however if things work out we will be looking to expand by sending more teams, including an open side, to more tournaments next year.”