Accelerating into action with ANZA Netball

Steph shares advice with our 2014 cohort

Over two weekends in November, ANZA Netball ran the annual ANZA Accelerator Carnival. Our U8s, U9s, and U10s hit the courts with big smiles and even bigger energy, enjoying the fun and teamwork of match play.

Steph Fretwell with our 2012 and 2013 teams

Clubs from across Singapore, including SGNA, Centaurs, Crossroads, and TNA, brought their A-game and team spirit. Meanwhile, the ever-popular bake sale, coffee cart, and complimentary hairspray kept everyone fuelled, ready to play, and rocking great hair! And then there was the netball, which was fast, fierce, and full of flashes of brilliance from everyone involved. An additional highlight was welcoming special guest Steph Fretwell, recently retired Australian Diamond Goal Attack. She watched the action, then shared her own netball journey, elite tips, stories, and wisdom with ANZA’s older players. Thanks for the inspo, Steph!

Get your hairspray here!

Volunteer coaches worked tirelessly, guiding players around Tanglin Trust School. Head Coach Lin and Sally from the ANZA Committee kept the day flowing, briefing umpires and timekeepers, and making sure the right players were in the right place at the right time! Our older ANZA players stepped up to give back, manning the bake sale, umpiring, and keeping time. A heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteers for making it possible!

“Games were fast, fierce, and full of brilliance from everyone involved”

Team 2 ready to roll

Farewell Coach Billie

Life in an expat community means goodbyes are part of the fabric, but we were super sad to see ANZA’s Coach Billie return to Australia. Bille and her family have been at the heart of our netball community for seven years, with Billie holding multiple roles on the ANZA Netball Committee, predominantly championing our volunteer coaches and guiding them with patience and enthusiasm. On top of this, she had to step down as Head Coach of the 2011 (U14) and 2013 (U12) squads – nearly 80 young players who will miss her dearly.

Left: Our Star of Wonder! Right: Bye-bye Billie!

Billie has been a passionate, inspiring member of the ANZA Netball Committee, loved by both volunteer and professional coaches alike. Having her by our side on tours to Malaysia and Perth always ended in much hilarity and special memories. She’s also been fabulous at keeping us entertained with her legendary fancy dress costumes popping up at every opportunity! (RIP her Christmas outfits!). ANZA Netball’s loss is Ballarat’s gain, and we wish Billie, her wonderful daughters Willow and Jagger, and husband Kamal, all the best on their adventures back in Oz.