New Kids Netball Club’s A-Grade team with the new-look uniform. Back row: L to R Dave Buchtmann, Claire Colvin, Sophie Buchtmann, Sienna Mulkurti, Trixie Hall, Sophie Donelan and Brendon Colvin. Front Row L to R: Hannah Buchtmann, Ellie Cooper and Isabella Masters Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
One of the Riverina’s most loved netball clubs is celebrating a milestone year and a series of firsts this season.
The not-so-new New Kids Netball Club is marking 35 years of netball by dominating the region’s player numbers and unveiling a fresh new-look uniform proudly worn by the club’s A-Grade and A-Reserve players.
“It’s absolutely incredible and we have just been growing and growing,” New Kids Netball Club president Claire Buchtmann said.
A highly organised president with a heart of gold, Ms Buchtmann brought the idea of the new uniform to the committee after seeing something similar in the Suncorp Super Netball competition.
The idea was embraced by New Kids alumna EJ McGinn, who reached out to her foster mother and local artist Sharon Pearce, fondly known as ‘Nanny Shaz’. Ms Pearce has been on her own journey of self-discovery after learning she has local Wiradjuri heritage.
“My heritage wasn’t spoken about in my family back in the day, but I always felt some connection, and when we did some research into our family history, it was like an ‘aha’ moment,” Nanny Shaz said.
“It came as a surprise but it felt right, especially now I’m expressing my culture through art. To see the uniforms on the girls has just given me goosebumps.”
The vibrant blue uniforms weave new stories into ancient patterns, representing growth, connection, confidence and community, while also reflecting the New Kids’ mantra of inclusivity, fun, fitness and cherishing friendships.
“The flowing blue through the centre represents the river. Like the Murrumbidgee, it’s a place of movement and shared journey,” Ms Buchtmann said.
“The gum leaves along the river represent the riverbanks that are strong and protective and deeply connected to Country, which symbolise a safe and nurturing environment where players can come together and feel a sense of belonging.
“At the top, the three larger circles represent family and friends, the ones cheering on the sidelines and standing behind every player. The smaller circles are the players; each one unique with their own strengths, but still connected through the game and a shared spirit.”
The uniform has already been embraced by players, including 22-year-old Trixie Hall, the newest New Kids A-Grade player, who recently moved from Armidale to Wagga to finish her business degree.
“I moved from Armidale to Wagga for my final year at uni and I wanted to play netball, so I called up New Kids trying to find a place and I found it,” Trixie said.
“The girls are all so lovely and I love netball because it’s a team sport. Everyone gets together.”
New Kids A-Grade players against their Shooting Stars rivals at the Equex Sport Centre. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
The club now fields 38 teams, from Under 8s through to A-Grade, playing across every division. The A-Grade competition itself has grown from seven teams to nine, while New Kids now accounts for just over a third of all local competition teams, with 106 teams competing across all divisions.
“It’s absolutely incredible and we’ve just been growing from strength to strength in the last four years, so we’re doing really well,” Ms Buchtmann said.
“New Kids was co-founded by Ros Addison and Jenny Stubbs and they pretty much ran it until 2023 when they gifted the club to me to run, and I feel very humbled that they chose me.”
The growth of netball has been helped by Wagga Wagga’s universities and education providers, which continue to bring new players into the competition.
“Trixie didn’t know many people in Wagga and now she has nine new friends, and that’s the beauty of it,” Ms Buchtmann said.
“If you don’t know anybody, you can always just go and find a netball team, and whether you’re playing social netball at the indoor centre, or competitive netball on Saturday or Tuesday night, there’s something in it for everybody and you can really have a lot of fun with it.
“We even have walking netball on Mondays at Bolton Park and that’s for those of us who might not be so good at running. We’ve had a few mums down there right through to 80-year-olds, and some of the more experienced ladies still have some sharp skills.”
