STRONG competition was typical among a line-up of 64 teams from across the state for the 2019 Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball carnival in Bundaberg recently.
Somerset College, Mudgeeraba, won the QISSN Cup with an impressive performance from Rylee Burns, who was named both Player of the Grand Final and Player of the Carnival.
Marymount College, Burleigh Waters, edged out Clairvaux MacKillop College, Mt Gravatt, to clinch victory in the Lara Nillson Trophy.
Chanel College, Gladstone, came back from four down at half-time to score a one-goal win over Mount Alvernia College, Kedron, in the Ameliaranne Wells Shield.
QISSN president Ann Rebgetz said it was a high standard of netball across the carnival.
Hosted at Shalom College, alongside the Confraternity Carnival, the competition was packed mostly with Catholic schools.
“It’s really good the way it brings everyone together,” Mrs Rebgetz said.
“I guess the big thing to celebrate this year is it’s 20 years since it started, and it started in Bundaberg 20 years ago,” she said, “and the football … started in Bundaberg 40 years ago.
“So 20 years ago, it was decided we’re doing all this for the boys but what are we doing for the girls?
“It started with 16 teams 20 years ago and (now has) 64 teams 20 years later.
“We have quite a waiting list of people wanting to come into the carnival as well.
“It’s such a popular carnival, we look to ways that we can include – it’s been a very successful formula.”
QISSN brought more than just netball.
“One of our mantras is we go to different regions and going to different regions we bring a boost to that economy in that region,” Mrs Rebgetz said.
“They’re predicting about a $5 million boost to the region.”
Bundaberg Region mayor Jack Dempsey and Rockhampton Catholic Education executive director Leesa Jeffcoat both attended the joint QISSN and Confraternity Carnival opening ceremony.
Mrs Rebgetz said wherever she drove in Bundaberg were buses from across Queensland.
It was also a great opportunity for young women.
“We really see the value of netball cultivating sporting pathways for young women,” Mrs Rebgetz said.
“It’s such a big industry in itself.
“It’s not just an industry for players, it’s an industry for umpires, for sporting promotion and again we’re able to step our students in that way.
“But the big benefit is whether you come – first or second or 63rd or 64th – we’re building this week all over for young women (to have) the opportunity to have time away and have time with their teams to play in a high-standard carnival.”
The importance of sport and the impact it had in society was evident, Mrs Rebgetz said.
“Particularly team sports cultivate that and the qualities and abilities that are essential to their future and their success,” she said.
