The Leeton Netball Association will have four teams heading to the event, which is now one of the largest female sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere. 

The competition is so large now, that no single association has the courts, venue space and facilities to host all four divisions and age groups by itself.

As a result, multiple associations are used simultaneously to host the event, which this year will be in Penrith, Liverpool and Campbelltown. 

Under 12s

THE under 12s have played four carnivals during the lead up to state age. 

They have gained a lot of experience and shown great improvement across all areas of the court. The girls are all excited to participate in their first state age carnival. 

Brooke Schmetzer: Tall defensive player. Rebounds the ball strongly. 

Shikeea Brown: Rock solid in defence. Reads the game well. 

Abby Horton: A wonderful team player. Always gives 100 per cent in attack and defence. 

Madeline Irvin: Reliable mid-court player. Safe hands. Feeds the ball very well. 

Molly Gilmour: A versatile player who provides a lot of drive through the middle. Runs all day. 

Meg Thomas: A talented all rounder with exceptional skills. Leads by example. 

Tess Henley: Tall attacking player. Gets a lot of turnovers. Reliable in defence. 

Adelaide Meline: A very determined player. Very accurate under the ring. Season cut short to due injury unfortunately. 

Sophie Cooper: A versatile player who applies a lot of pressure over the ball. Strong defensive game. 

Jess Fealy: A little pocket rocket. Silky skills. An exciting late inclusion. 

Under 13s

THE under 13s have had a great season so far.

They won the Cowra carnival and runners-up at Wagga. This team never gives up on the court. 

Ashlea Hattwell: A strong shooter that can nail it from anywhere in the goal circle.

Brooke Eglinton: A versitile player that supports the shooter well.

Lilli Hillier: Pocket rocket who gives it all in the centre court.

Sarah Puntoriero: Quiet, but a versatile player in attack and defence.

Georgia Wilson: Strong versitile player that can fill any position on the court.

Sophie Mannall: Knows how to read the ball so well.

Emily Mahalm: Great defender who never gives up.

Holli Jones: Gives it all in defence and gets great intercepts.

Brooke Paton: Versatile player who can defend and shoot.

Under 14s 

THIS year’s under 14s have played a huge seven carnivals before state age this week. 

The girls have worked hard and have challenged themselves to the limits. 

They won the Young and Parkes 14s divisions and in the rest of the carnivals, the side opted to play in a higher age division into the 15s. 

These were at West Wyalong, Wangaratta, Albury and at Wagga and Cowra.

They came as runners-up at Wagga and Cowra. 

The girls are talented and versatile and are a wonderful bunch of young ladies.

Grace Korovata: GS/GA dominant shooter who can also play defence. An impact player.

Chloe Matthews: Utilised at both ends of the court as a shooter and defender. Lifts the intensity of a game.

Abbey Thomas: Shooter who also plays on the wing. A leader and consistent team player.

Grace Evans: Mid-courter who is quick off the centre breaks. Finds good position.

Tyler McKellar: C/WA Workhorse, fit and reliable right through the mid-court. Assists well to shooters.

Maddy Kennedy: WD/WA Quiet achiever, gets the job done.

Grace Tooth: WD/GK Tall, body-to-body defender. Long reach. 

Mikayla Jones: Defender who pulls an intercept from no where. Reads the ball well and assists down court.

Ruby Henley: Versatile defender and shooter. Clean player who steps up when needed. 

Under 15s

THE under 15s have struggled with injuries this year, but the girls have dug deep to achieve results in their final preparations for the upcoming state age carnival. 

The side is looking forward to building on their strong foundations and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Dani: Strong defender/shooter who dominates the court. 

Emma: Fast centre court player with a never say die attitude.

Izzy: Structured centre court player who positions herself strategically to get maximum results.

Katie: Hard-working wing defence that defends all the way down the court and causes many turn overs. 

Libby: Defender/shooter who reads the play well and causes turnovers.

Madasan: Pocket rocket centre court player that has the grace of a ballerina and the speed of light.

Maddy Bell: Powerful shooter with a high percentage rate and safe hands.

Maddy Morris: Plays baseline to baseline. Fierce utility player with a huge vertical jump.

Maggie: Hard-working strategic shooter with hands from heaven. Can place the ball wherever she wants.

Makayla: Defender who has a big reach. Quick off the mark and achieves many intercepts.

Molly: Centre court/shooter with fast hands. Dead set play maker. 

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2016 State Age Championships in numbers 

LAST year’s event was an outstanding success and organisers, together with the Leeton teams, are keen to be taking part again in 2017 and being part of all the fun.

-Number of teams taking part: 309

-Number of players participating: Over 3,300

-Number of associations represented: 87

-Number of spectators present: 40,000-plus

-Number of team officials involved: Over 1,000

-Number of umpires who officiated: 500

-Amount of salt used to melt ice on Athlete Village floorboards: 50kgs

-Number of games played: 5,400

-Number of goals scored: 83,000

-Total minutes of netball played: 129, 600mins (2160 hours)

Total number of draws: 116

Number of major partners for the event: Six