Tuggeranong Netball Association shoots, scores and soars this season

In a winter of cold and crisp Canberra mornings, the Calwell netball courts have been a hotbed of sportsmanship and energy. As the 2025 winter netball season draws to a close for the Tuggeranong Netball Association (TNA) and as the summer competition starts, we’re celebrating TNA’s many accomplishments, on and off the court.

Another record-breaking year

The 2025 season has been the club’s most successful yet. Team triumphs and individual achievements have been plentiful, with highlights including having four teams in the Netball ACT Senior State League Competition Grand Finals and winning the Division 1 three years in a row.

TNA continues to nurture rising talent, with many members selected to represent the ACT in the School Sport Australia Championships. Congratulations to the following players:

  • 2 players selected for ACT Darters: Amber Brophy and Emily Robinson

  • 5 players selected for the ACT State U17s and U19s teams: Mia Keen, Isla Pfeiffer, Charlise Virtue, Ashley Weller and Kiarma Ramali

  • 2 players selected for the Australian Development squads: Ashley Weller (U19s) and Isla Pfeiffer (U17s)

  • 4 players selected for U15s ACT Schoolsports Girls and Boys Netball teams: Hunter Collins, Eva Beard, Elissa Blue, and Cooper Morphett

  • 6 players selected for the ACT School Sports Primary School team: Zoe Welsh, Ethan Davis, Alyssa Drew, Evangeline Pupi Pesefea, Violet Lemon and Mya Low

  • 10 players picked in ACT U14s and U15s Academy teams: Eva Beard, Elissa Blue, Hunter Collins, Keira Kirk, Laela Watson, Gloria Pupi Pesefea, Neve Senior, Hannah Ah-See, Imogen Bond and Ainslie Bignell

  • 5 players selected for the ACT Capital Spirit Academy teams: Charlise Virtue, Mia Keen, Isla Pfeiffer, Kiarma Ramali and Ashley Weller, and Training Partner: Sinead Briedis

  • 3 players selected for the ACT First Nations state team: Thalia Uleau, Kiarma Ramali and Maddie Warren

  • Players selected in the ACT Men's and Mixed Teams: Aaron Flugge, Nick Toze, Josh Eade, Daniel Kostovski, Fergus Grey, Banjo Willison, and U17s Coach, Will Dredge, and Manager, Michael Cately.

Congratulations to the following teams, who did so well in the ACT Junior and Senior State League titles:

  • Division 1 – Winners

  • Division 2 – Runners Up

  • U19s – Winners

  • U17s – Runners Up

  • U15s Divisions 1 and 2 – Winners

  • U14s Division 1 – Runners Up

  • U14s Division 2 – Placed Fourth

  • U13s Division 2 – Runners Up

  • U12s Division 1 – Winners

  • U12s Division 2 – Placed Third

  • U11s Division 1 – Placed Third

  • U11s Division 2 – Runners Up

And to the TNA coaches and coordinators, we extend a huge congratulations, for without whom none of the above accolades would be possible:

  • 2026 ACT Net Set Go Centre: Coordinator Natalie Rawsthorne 

  • ACT Coaching Excellence Award: Carly Symons (marking the third year in a row that this award has been won by a TNA Coach)

  • ACT Capital Spirit Academy Coach: Head Coach Kate Durham, and Manager Amanda Campbell

  • ACT State U17s Coach: Natalee George

  • ACT First Nations Coaching Team: Head Coach Natalee George, and Assistant Coach Sam Pommer

TNA’s passionate volunteers and life members, Helen Whitby and Erica Lauchland, reflected on the wins for the 2025 season.

“Winning Division 1 three years in a row has been quite impressive to experience,” says Erica. “We were the underdogs, you know. But I knew from the moment the team went out on the court that they would win. You could see it in the way they worked together, and the way they all moved. It’s a testament to the hard work they’ve put in throughout the season, not just the players but the coaches and other support people, too.”

“Having four teams in the Grand Finals this year was quite the achievement, one that I’ll never forget,” says Helen. 

This year, TNA continued its tradition of giving back to the wider community, participating in several charity events such as the Pink Round (supporting breast cancer research), Reconciliation Round (celebrating and acknowledging the true values of reconciliation), and Share the Dignity Round, where a court perimeter was filled with donated sanitary products to support the charity’s anti–period poverty mission.

Volunteers are the heart of TNA

TNA is entirely volunteer-based, and its volunteers have been nothing short of fantastic this year. From the warm hands preparing sideline snags to the coaches and committee organisers, every individual plays a vital role. Their dedication has created a vibrant and supportive social culture that is felt throughout the club community.

The TNA community has come together particularly well this year, with all of the netball clubs contributing workers to support the raising of vital funds that come in through the canteen and barbecue. It was great to get to know the newest club from Googong when they fulfilled their rostered duty. “It goes to show that clubs like TNA are only made possible by the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who show up week in and week out. It’s to them, as well as the players and coaches, that I’d like to dedicate this season to,” says Helen.

“We only hope our volunteers are able to help out again next year. We would love to continue the growth of netball in Canberra. We’re focusing a lot of time and energy on coaching and sharing that knowledge and those skills with our affiliated clubs. It can only benefit netball as a sport in Canberra, and foster the amazing talent we have here. Many senior players return to give back by coaching, helping to nurture the next generation and strengthening the club’s coaching foundation.”

A proud history of netball excellence

TNA has a rich and enduring history in Canberra’s south. Sue Smith was the first life member when the club began in 1982, setting the tone for decades of passion and community spirit. In 1988, the club moved to the Calwell netball courts, which have since become TNA’s home. Led by a band of passionate volunteers, TNA has gone from strength to strength.

The association has enjoyed 39 years of affiliation with Vikings, with its 40th anniversary just around the corner. Vikings’ relationship with TNA has been instrumental in supporting the development of athletes and the club itself.

“TNA greatly values our partnership with Vikings. Your support helps foster the progression of players from ACT level through to the national stage. Your advice, guidance and grant funding have allowed us to improve our facilities and keep that sense of community that we love.”

Looking ahead

TNA remains committed to growing netball in Canberra and inspiring the next generation of players, coaches, and volunteers. With strong community support, dedicated volunteers, and a proud partnership with Vikings, the future of TNA looks brighter than ever.

Adding to the excitement, the summer competition kicked off on 13 October, keeping the courts buzzing with energy and anticipation.

Vikings is proud to support grassroots sports clubs like TNA. The Community Gaming Model has long been a significant contributor to how clubs in the ACT contribute to and support the community at a scale unmatched by any other community organisation. It ensures funds generated by gaming are reinvested directly into local programs, facilities and initiatives that make a real difference. As the industry evolves, a sustainable future will require diversification. 

The ACT Government has an important role to play in supporting clubs to transition away from a reliance on gaming revenue while still enabling us to fund grassroots sport, scholarships, and wellbeing programs. For this transition to be successful and ensure community support continues while new, sustainable revenue streams are developed, it must be guided by strong public policy, collaboration, and investment.

To learn more about TNA or the ongoing summer season, visit tuggeranongnetball.com.au or forward enquiries to office@tuggeranongnetball.com.au.

VG