2025 Junior Netball Carnival: Katanning 11s, Railways 12s and Royals Saints 13s bring home junior titles

Katanning, Railways and Royals Saints all came home with silverware on Sunday after each team claimed one of the age divisions at the 2025 Albany Junior Netball Carnival. Hosted at Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre by the Albany Netball Association, the tournament consisted of 35 teams from 10 clubs and associations across the Great Southern and Wheatbelt. Albany locals Kangas, Royals Saints and Railways competed with out-of-towners Denmark, Bullets, Narrikup, Ongerup, Kojonup, Katanning and Narrogin for the three titles. A strong Katanning outfit defeated Royals in the 11-and-under grand final, winning the division in a stylish 16-4 performance. Railways Black started a hot streak that couldn’t be put out in the 12-and-under section, concluding with a 26-8 grand final win over Ongerup. A tight race was brewing in the 13-and-under competition, with both Denmark and Royals entering the final undefeated. It was an organised Royals team that won the day however, edging out Denmark in a 20-13 victory. ANA administrator and junior carnival chair Marcelle Cannon said the impressive turnout, which was the biggest of the past three years, highlighted the appeal and importance of such events for regional sports development. “The carnival, generously supported by major sponsor Albany City Nissan, brought together netball enthusiasts from across the Great Southern region,” she said. “It was particularly interesting to see the girls playing within their specific age groups rather than their usual club teams. “This provided a wonderful opportunity for them to bond, have fun, and develop new skills in a slightly different environment. “It was great to see so many teams travel such distances to join in.”