by Carla Caruso

After a holiday break and state lockdown, netballers are gearing up for their grand finals on August 21.

For 47 years, netball has been a fixture at Josie Agius Park/Wikaparntu Wirra (Park 22). The park now boasts 24 courts, which the SA United Church Netball Association (SAUCNA) leases from the Adelaide City Council. 

SAUCNA secretary Vanita Cooper said 28 clubs – from Grange Uniting to Hallett Cove – were involved in the 2021 winter competition, comprising 406 teams. While the juniors play in the suburbs during the season, their August finals are also played in the city.

In the summer season, the numbers increase to nearly 40 clubs and over 500 teams.

“Originally, the clubs were formed through church teams,” Vanita said. “So, it’s very community-like. It’s not profit-based like some other clubs. We don’t get any money from the government unless we apply for grants. It would be the second strongest competition in the state after [premier league] Netball SA.”

On the sport’s popularity, Vanita said: “The girls can play netball and train one night a week and still have other sports or interests. But I also think having the Australian team and the national league helps – young girls love watching it. And because it’s all girls, maybe that’s why it’s really popular.”

Vanita is a coach and umpire at Grange Uniting too and has two daughters – Morgan, 17, and Jemma, 15 – who play for the club.

“The sport’s also very inclusive,” Vanita said. “My eldest daughter has cerebral palsy and she’s out playing in the ‘open’ category. She’s unable to use her left side, so she just plays with one hand. She’s played since she was in under-9s.”

On Park 22, its Kaurna name fittingly means “netball place”. Meanwhile, its other name honours ‘Aunty’ Josie, who was one of SA’s first Aboriginal health workers and a strong netball supporter.

Vanita said the park was an ideal location for the association. “There’s nowhere else in Adelaide which has that number of courts we could use.”

Photos: James Elsby.