54 SPORT FRIDAY JULY 18 2014 Grudge match for Rovers, Federal hits court Steve Menzies NETBALL Billie Newton in action for the NT earlier this year Picture: SPORT-IN-DIGITAL Youngsters keen to cut it as Diamonds A GROUP of young netballers have been invited to train as a squad in the hope one or more will follow in the footsteps of Billie Newton or Karyn Bailey – or go further and become a Diamond. Both have progressed through similar squads in Alice Springs. Newton played her first game for Territory Storm at the weekend and Melbourne Vixens shooter Bailey is in Manchester training with the Australian team preparing for the Commonwealth Games. The 19 players, aged 14 to 16, are in the Netball Australia initiative Develop A Diamond Academy to help uncover future Australian players, especially in regional areas. They are being coached by Pauline Hickey and Naomi Preece. The players invited into the training squad are – Gabrielle Borchers, Abbey Brown, Georgia Brown, Abbey Chalker, Gabrielle Coffey, Ruby Farthing, Sophie Gaynor, Chloe Keays, Dana Schembri, Krydence Schwalger, Iesha Smith, Vanessa Smith, Chloe Southam, Courtney Summers, Lidiya Tangey, Mkealy Tiller, Paige Williams and Amy Wilson. . ALL grades, from 13-andunder through to A-grade, of the Club Eastside Alice Springs Netball Association will be in action from 11am at the Pat Gallagher Netball Centre tomorrow. The match of the round is between the grand finalists for the past seven years – Rovers Scope and Federal Trusty Glass. Both will be going all out to win the game – Federal seeking to recover from last week’s loss to Wests Gillen Club and Rover to regain second position heading into the final round of matches against all the other clubs. Federal will welcome back Territory Storm player Billie Newton, as Storm have a bye this weekend, to add her skills to the centre court. But youngster Savannah Tiller and Caley Pannell played on the wings with such aplomb in support of captain Crystal Dixon last week it will be hard to replace them in the side. Federal will still be without a number of regular A-grades and has the problem about rostering any reserves in their place as they can only play two games up before being unable to return to the reserves. There was plenty of good news for Rovers out of last week’s game as both Aimee Rodda and Carlie McInnes pulled up OK after returning from long-term injuries. Lauren Parai should be available again after doing a sports medicine course last week which will have the Savannah Tiller and Caley Pannell played on the wings with such aplomb … it will be hard to replace them reigning premier back at almost full strength for this game. This game at 4.30pm will be well worth staying at netball for the entire day. The early game between Seasons Lasseters and Neata Glass Giants should result in a comfortable win to Seasons – but they will have to be wary. While Giants have struggled this season, at times they have played good netball and if they can get a full side on the court to play the full game could spring a surprise. But Seasons has the experience of Nikki Marsh and Darrelle Windsor plus talented youngsters such as Jordan Manu-Preston and Kathleen Campbell to ensure they win. The inclusion of Megan Cantwell has provided more options in attack to cover the temporary loss of Bec Ford and unavailability of Mai Segi. There is free admission to the Pat Gallagher Netball Centre all day. Extra parking is available in front of the Desert Life Church and the carpark of Winnecke Ave. The two youngest age groups, 9-and-under and 11and-under, resume next week. There will be a special meeting of ASNA at noon on Saturday, July 26. The meeting is to accept the audited financial report for the 2013 year. The monthly delegates meeting will follow. Geraghty up to speed Mountain bikers aim All welcome at fun run for national events NOW Maroochydore-based Alice Springs Courtney Geraghty flew out to the US on Wednesday to compete for the Australian 4x400-metre relay team at the World Junior Athletic Championships in Oregon USA from July 22-27. The 18-year-old spent the past two weeks in Canada as part of her preparations for the event which is a huge stepping stone toward Commonwealth Games and Olympic representation. See Tuesday’s Centralian Advocate for more. Courtney Geraghty NEGOTIATIONS are currently taking place between the Central Australian Rough Riders mountain biking club and the NT Government for Alice Springs to host a major event over Easter next year. The Red Centre may host the XCM National Series on top of what already is a big event with the Easter Mountain Bike Muster, according to CARR’s John Pyper. “Basically in process with talking with the NT Government and hopefully will come with a result by the end of next week,” Pyper said. He added even if the Alice did not get to host the series in 2015, he was optimistic the Muster would grow bigger. “It looks like it will become a major national event in the next couple of years,” Pyper said. THE Get Physical Run/Walk is on this Sunday from 8am, starting and finishing at the Memo Club. Registrations for the 4km run/walk are done on the morning and start from 7.30am behind the Memo Club on the river trail. The cost is $3 for members and $5 for non-members. All are welcome and a 1km run/walk is included for children. Prams and bikes are also welcome to be used through- out the race. This always proves to be a popular fun event with runners and walkers of all abilities. Jenny Steer and her team will provide a great breakfast. The event is just a small precursor to the half marathon on July 27 and the Alice Springs Running Festival which will be held on August 17. The weather for Sunday is expected to be perfect for the event with a fine top of 19 degrees after a chilly morning. CAVE01Z01MA - V1