New Kids Milky Ways are enjoying an unbeaten start to their 11-years Wagga Netball season with a win over Junee last Saturday making it three straight.
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Ella Alcorn, Abi Combs and Sophie Buchtmann are among the players leading the way and shooter Azahli Parsons, playing a year above her age, has shone.
"She's only tiny but she's a real pocket-rocket. Her sister Kyah is one of the leading goalscorers in Galaxy (a New Kids 14-years team) and Azahli is fast following in her sister's footsteps," New Kids' Claire Buchtmann said.
Buchtmann and her husband Dave manage eight New Kids teams, primarily organised around students of Wagga Christian College after the school became keen to get involved in netball.
Around five years ago, the group started with two teams and are up to eight now. The young netballers begin with Friday night indoors before graduating to the outdoor competition from year three.
- RELATED: Wagga Netball Junior results
Christian College student Senna Rose-Ladule coaches the Milky Ways. Dave Buchtmann coaches two teams, including New Kids Galaxy in the 14-years.
Their group has three teams spread across the three divisions of the 14s, the Comets, Galaxy and Satellites (made up mainly of Kildare College students).
"We joined them all up to the New Kids because when we first took it on Comets was the first team that played with New Kids and we really liked the way the club encouraged the kids to be friends," Buchtmann said.
"It's not all about winning, it's about playing with your friends and having fun. And obviously as you go through the ranks, they get more competitive."
The Comets and Satellites will progress to the 16-years next year.
Galaxy, which won the 12-years title last year will remain in the 14-years. They've had one win and two losses so far in division two but are averaging a handy 22 goals a game.
They've been well-served by the brilliantly accurate Kyah Parsons while former basketballer Roseanna Ward has transitioned into a good defender and Hannah Buchtmann has been consistent at centre and GA.
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