Premier League players Jenna Richards (left) and Inez McPherson (right) with Riverina Manager for Netball NSW Amanda McLachlan at the Regional League selection weekend at Wagga’s PCYC. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
Some of the Riverina’s best netballers descended on Wagga last weekend for the chance to be selected for the Regional League competition, with many putting themselves in the frame to make the Sydney big league.
Players aged 16 and up from Griffith, Tumut, Leeton, Young, Barellan and Wagga, competed in the two-day event at Wagga’s PCYC. From the nine Riverina teams, only 12 players will be selected, with four teams competing in Division One, and five teams competing in Division Two.
On the way to another goal, Tumut plays Leeton at Wagga’s PCYC. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
“This is the top line of competition that we can play in the Riverina. From this we’re looking at players we select in the team to have a pathway position in Sydney,” Riverina Regional Manager for Netball NSW Amanda McLaughlin said.
“We’ve had about seven players from the Riverina in the last two years get selected in the Riverina team and go to Sydney, and then they’ve been picked up by Sydney teams to play on their Premier League, which is the top of the New South Wales competition, so it’s a big thing.
“I have two ladies here that are selectors for NSW Netball and they’re the ones who pick the teams. I don’t have to, thank God.”
Umpires also have a chance at selection for the Regional League competition in October, but only one out of 12 will be chosen. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
Players aren’t the only ones being selected; 12 umpires from across the Riverina are vying for selection for a position with the Regional League team in a pathway position.
Those selected won’t find out until June, ahead of the tournament in October, when they will compete against representative teams from each NSW region: The Hunter and Central Coast, West Central West, South Coast, North West, North Coast, and the Riverina.
For the girls who are selected to play in October, it’s an opportunity to go all the way in netball.
“In October, there will be scouts coming from all different Premier League clubs in Sydney that will tap players on the shoulder and say, we’d like you to come to our trials in 2027 for our state teams,” Amanda said.
“If you can get into a Premier League team, you can then be looked at for the Giants or the Sydney Swifts academy teams, and from there, you can progress to the Sydney Swifts or the Giants Netball team.”
The pinnacle is to play for the Australian Diamonds, one of the world’s most successful sporting teams that consistently rank number one, with 12 World Cup wins, four Commonwealth Games gold medals and multiple Constellation Cup titles. The Diamonds are reigning champions ahead of the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
While winning isn’t everything, it helps to get noticed, and this year both Barellan teams were the standouts.
Winners are grinners. Barellan 1 players, who beat Barellan 2 in the final at Netball’s Regional League Weekend at Wagga’s PCYC. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
Barellan’s netball teams outclassed everyone to make it a one-two Division One final thriller that was pushed into extra time after ending in a draw.
The final score: Barellan 1 beat Barellan 2, 31-26.
Barellan 1 captain Jenna Richards says the Regional League competition gives country netball players a chance to play at the top level.
“I was nine when I started playing netball for Griffith. I think we were the Giants back then,” Ms Richards said.
“I then played rep netball for Barellan, and once I finished Under 17’s I kinda thought netball was done for me, until Barellan brought in a opens team, and now I play in the NSW Under 23’s Premier League in Sydney,” she said.
“If I didn’t play in this competition I never would have moved to Sydney. Like, I never thought it was even a possibility.”
Playing goal attack (GA), Jenna won the 2025 Riverina League A-Grade Premiership, and this year has pivoted back to Griffith to take on an A-grade coaching position.
Barellan 1 player Inez McPherson, 17, was selected for a Sydney Premier League side, and has moved to a Sydney boarding school which allows her to play netball when she is not studying for her Higher School Certificate.
“I train three or four nights a week, and that’s just pre-season,” Ms McPherson said.
“It’s so good. I love it. I was really homesick at the start. I hated it and I wanted to come home, but now I love it as there are just more opportunities,” she said.
“I will just train well and hopefully next year get a Premier League contract and then we will just see what happens.”
While the weekend’s Regional League selection competition is female-only, there is scope for men if there is enough interest in filling a men’s team, or playing mixed competition.
“It’s a work in progress. There is a men’s national competition starting next week in Perth and we have one young player from Leeton participating in it and he’s playing for New South Wales,” Ms McLaughlin said.
