This year, more than ever, junior sport isn't all about results. But you can't begrudge winners the joy of victory.
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Kooringal Maroon's Under 10s are still learning the game but after their third win from four games, edging out Nixons Magpies 8-4, there's a lot to like.
"They all love their netball. They're quite excited to be winning. I don't know if they expected to be. Winning's just a bonus for them. They just wanted to get back to playing and they're so happy to be back," coach Melinda Hannaford said.
"(But) they're all very excited when they run over and ask the score."
In truth, it's all about learning. Hannaford says their first year out of 'Net Set Go' is about getting to grips with the fundamentals, from passing, to their set-up from centre passes and moving down to the circle.
"We've done a lot more teaching them the rules because now they get pulled up for all the normal netball rules. They know that they can't get away with as much as they used to, so stepping, addressing the line when the ball goes out, three feet, and making sure there's no contact on the player," she said.
In a enthusiastic team, Abigail Toohey has been excellent in defence and Caitlin Oakley's effort and reliability has been impressive.
Hannaford is thrilled to coach them, continuing a family tradition at Kooringal - the club she joined after first moving to Wagga many years ago, and where her daughters now play.
Kooringal's Jenny Whittaker says the club is proud of its tradition as Wagga's oldest club, forming in the 1970s, and playing at South Wagga Public School, before Bolton Park and now Equex.
To be able to put children on the court in 2020 though, Whittaker said Wagga Netball deserves plenty of credit.
"I'd like to give recognition to Wagga Netball in how they've covered all the Covid stuff, in looking after people and caring for people in these times," Whittaker said.
"Their sanitisation, their organisation of people in small spaces, it's been very good. Each week it gets better. They cop flak every week from parents, kids, coaches, but they're only following directions from NSW and as far as I'm concerned they're doing a fantastic job."
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