Australia’s Commonwealth Youth Games Fast5 netball team have claimed the competition’s first Fast5 gold medal.
The side went undefeated throughout the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games led by captain Monika ‘Otai and head coach Elissa Kent.
The Australians were challenged throughout the Games with matches against Scotland, Canada, England, Trinidad & Tobago and South Africa.
On the first day of the netball competition the team recorded a convincing 29-8 win over Scotland and a strong 54-6 win over Canada with Nicola Barge a standout in the circle.
The following day the Australian team defeated host nation Trinidad & Tobago by 62 goals with strong defence providing 17 intercepts. Gemma Hutchings, Sasha-May Flegler and Tabitha Packer led the charge with three intercepts each.
The Australian defensive pressure was suffocating across the Games.The side then logged a 19-goal win over a competitive England in the semi-final to secure a spot in the gold medal match.
GOLDEN MATCH
The battle for gold was tight against South Africa with the Australians starting the match a little slow before taking a one-goal lead at the end of the first break.
Mia Lavis shone for the team with her pinpoint accuracy and confidence to shoot from a distance enabling the Aussies to assert their dominance.
Applying defensive pressure across the court, the Australians kept the scoreboard ticking over with a range of shots to keep the South Africans at bay.
The Australian team took a 17-goal lead into the final quarter, however, their opponents then charged.
South Africa slotted a six-point shot at the start of the final powerplay to put the pressure on and narrow the lead back to six goals, however, the Australians were able to remain calm.
Captain Monika 'Otai led from the goal circle.Australia answered South Africa’s pressure with a four-point shot and denied South Africa the opportunity to slot another goal worth six points, cementing the Australian victory 39 to 29.
Head coach Elissa Kent was ecstatic with the win.
“I am immensely proud of these young women for the way they embraced the new challenge of learning Fast5, connecting as a group and adapting in a foreign environment,” she said.
“They all performed on court in a way that I hope makes Australia proud. We were fierce in defence and had some great maturity, composure and variety in our attacking play.
“All 10 of these athletes have a bright future,” Kent said.
Captain Monika ‘Otai described the winning feeling to Commonwealth Games Australia.
“It’s one thing putting on the green and gold but to get the gold medal really does accomplish all our dreams, it’s an indescribable feeling,” Captain Monika ‘Otai said.
“You could really feel the atmosphere and the energy when you enter the room and when you’re on the court, that really helps get you over the line.”
