PLAYING netball has helped Otway Districts goaler Nadine Oborne deal with the stress of having a premature baby.

Oborne’s son Jyrah spent the first months of his life in hospital after being born two months premature in December.

The dynamic Demon won a 17-and-under premiership, had a baby and returned for the start of this season in the space of six months.

Oborne said returning to netball training was a distraction while she waited for Jyrah to be healthy enough to come home with her.

“I wanted to get straight back into netball to get my head back together,” she said.

“Everything is really good now, he’s great.

“You forget about all the stress about the baby when you’re playing, it’s been good.”

Otway Districts have had a rocky start to the year but an encouraging performance against Western Eagles has helped build the Demons’ confidence.

Oborne has teamed with fellow young-gun Olivia Paatsch in the Demons attacking third after injury sidelined experienced attacker Kellie Edwards.

“Being on top of 17s we had it easy but coming into this year it’s more competitive and you really have to win the ball,” Oborne said of her promotion to A Grade.

“You have to have more of a mind game of where you go. They all seem to read the play a bit better than what the under17s would.

“But it’s been good to step up and play against some of the best players in the league.

“I’m pretty happy with way I’m going, I’m improving each week so that’s good.”

Simpson travels to Gellibrand Recreation Reserve tomorrow to take on the improving Demons.

Oborne said the Eagles game was a breakthrough in the lead-up to the Simpson clash.

“It’s the first time we actually played as a team and it was really good,” she said.

“We’re only going to improve in the weeks to come anyway.”

Simpson lost to Colac Imperials last week, its first loss of the season.

Imperials aim to consolidate impressive start

COLAC Imperials netballers will look to consolidate their promising start to the season against Forrest tomorrow.

The Imperials remained the only undefeated side in the CDFLNA after beating Simpson last week.

Imps goaler Rebecca Scott leads league scoring with 255 goals while midcourter and former Colac Tiger Sara Morrissy has featured heavily in Colac Herald MVP voting.

Injuries to Abby Callahan and Elyse Howard have failed to halt the Imps’ assault on the competition with players including defender Aleisha Walters coming into the team.

Winless Birregurra rested and ready for Alvie

by Olivia Lenehan

BIRREGURRA netballers feel well rested and are ready to come out fighting against Alvie tomorrow.

The winless Saints enjoyed a bye last week while Alvie suffered a loss to South Colac.

Birregurra coach Ruth Mason said the Saints had “come off a good training session and were looking to enjoy the opportunity”.

“We want to improve our accuracy with shooting goals and capitalise on our turnarounds,” she said.

“I’m looking for a strong performance, we want strong feeding into the goal circle and the girls need to pressure each pass.

“We’re gaining experience in our combinations, we’re working well and we’re getting there.”

Hawks confident heading into South Colac game

APOLLO Bay netballers will head into tomorrow’s clash against South Colac full of confidence after beating Lorne.

The Hawks fielded a full-strength side against Lorne last week and came away with a morale-boosting win.

Apollo Bay has had arguably the toughest start to the CDFLNA netball season with games against top-five contenders Irrewarra-Beeac, Colac Imperials and Simpson.

The Hawks’ clash with South Colac completes its run against likely finals teams.

Bombers hope to repeat ‘impressive’ form

IRREWARRA-BEEAC coach Narelle Frith says an “impressive” win last week will boost her team ahead of its clash with Lorne tomorrow.

The Bombers fought hard for a four-goal win against Forrest to snap a three-game losing streak, their first losses since 2007.

Frith, who will return to the court this week, said the Bombers would approach tomorrow’s game with confidence.

Full netball previews appear in the current issue of the Colac Herald.