The two youngest Illawarra teams are in form heading into next week's State Age Championships at Baulkham Hills Association after strong performances at lead-up carnivals.
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The annual Stage Age Championships is the blue-ribbon event in junior rep netball, featuring 294 teams from 83 associations.
Illawarra will compete in the elite championship division in 12 years, 13 years, 14 years and 15 years.
Illawarra's 12-years team will make its State Age debut, but have won its past two carnivals at Liverpool and, most recently, Baulkham Hills.
The girls finished unbeaten at Baulkham Hills, where they conceded just 34 goals.
The highlight was a 14-9 win over the highly rated Liverpool, while Illawarra adjusted to having to make a few positional changes after one of their shooters was forced out of the game with injury.
The team performed strongly, with the shooters consistently working well and the mid-courters playing hard and delivering great passes into the circle.
The Illawarra 13-years team is targeting a top-five finish at the State Age Championships and has been using the lead-up carnivals to work on various combinations.
The team was particularly effective at the defensive end at Baulkham Hills, while the shooters worked the circle with grace and ease.
All mid-court players powered on in attack, and their defensive pressure forced many turnovers.
The highlights at the carnival were a fine 13-9 win over Eastwood Ryde and a 15-9 win over St George.
The State Age Championships from June 27 to 29 will also feature Illawarra's neighbouring associations Kiama, Shoalhaven and Ulladulla who will be looking to do well in either Division 2 or Division 3.
