Macleay Netball Association ends their 2021 season due to COVID-19

Saturday saw the cancellation of both junior and senior competitions with finals unable to be finished.

The association held off as long as they could on a decision but the uncertainty around the resumption of community sport became too much.

Their decision was justified with community sport postponed.

Minor-premiers of each division were awarded winners for the junior and seniors competition.

Junior winners:

Senior winners:

Natureland Club president Sonya Murphy was delighted with her club's year.

"As President of the Natureland Club I was very proud of the Storm team and their season," she said.

"They set the bench mark and were the team to beat this season in my opinion.

"They deserved their place at the top of the point score ladder to be the minor premiers for 2021."

Murphy, also the Macleay Netball Association publicity officer, added the strength of the sport in the region was on show throughout the year.

"It's never ideal to finish a season without playing the finals. But it is what it is this year unfortunately and beyond the Association's control," she explained.

"Defending 2020 Div 1 Premiers, the Crescent Head Vipers were also very strong once again this season only finishing two points behind on the ladder of Natureland Storm to be named runners up for 2021.

"In my opinion these two teams would have most likely have met in the Grand Final if we had of been able to finish out the season.

"All division in both the MNA junior and senior competitions were once again very competitive with all teams playing some fantastic netball over the season. Majority of the point scores were very close across all divisions.

"Netball is definitely alive and well on the Macleay. The Association looks forward to another great season of netball in 2022 with the added excitement of the new complex and courts to come."

The Division 1 Pam Guyer Award for best and fairest went to Marni Beljaars who finished on 14, four points clear of second (Isabella Garland) and third (Ella-Blu McNeilly).

Beljaars was back in Storm colours this year after playing for South West Rocks the previous season.

The St Paul's College student had been playing division one as a 16-year-old, only turning 17 two weeks ago.

"It was pretty exciting (seeing that I'd won)," she said.

"It was hard at times, playing top division is very competitive.

"I was playing with some of my friends which made it fun."

Beljaars also played regional league this year in Opens with one round played at Port Macquarie before COVID called an end to proceedings.

The Ethel Smith Division 1 top goal scorer went to Isabella Garland from Crescent Head Vipers who finished with an outstanding 217 goals for the season.

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