In just their second season, the first all boys team in a Mid Canterbury Netball winter competition made its first final and won its first title.

Allenton All Boys played in 2022 as a year 6 team and loved it so much they asked Mid Canterbury Netball if they could continue as an all boys team in 2023, and after discussion with clubs – due to year 7-8 netball usually having a max 3 boys on court rule – they were able to enter.

After grading days to begin the 2023 Ashburton New World junior youth netball competition, the boys found themselves in the Junior Senior B grade.

In round one they won just two games, and they won the same number of games in round two to take the fourth semi-final spot, which saw them take on top finishers Southern Panther’s Rock in the semi-finals.

The last time they’d played Southern, in round two, they’d lost by 26 goals. But in the semis they well and truly turned the tables, showing how much they’ve grown as a team, sticking with the Southern side and edging ahead when it counted to take the game 19-18.

To top off an amazing season the boys then took on Methven R&R in the final and won 16-9, and their reaction at the end - jumping up and throwing the ball high in to the air - showed just how much it meant to them.

Aimee Cosgrove coached the young side, and her son Finlay was one of the team members, and she said the team had been an absolute treat to coach.

“We started off with players completely new to netball and a couple in their second season. We started with the absolute basics, footwork, distance, what a centre pass looks like, throw ins... all the stuff you learn when you first start,” Cosgrove said.

“They are such a clean playing team as they love rules.”

She said their improvement through the season had been phenomenal.

“In our semi-final we played Southern who we lost 31-5 only five weeks ago. It was a nail-biter, edge of the seat game where we took the game 19-18,” Cosgrove said.

“Each and every kid stepped up and played their own game. I'm beyond proud, they went in with nothing to lose and enjoyed every minute.

“We've had some massive losses but the boys just want to play and love the game. I've had so much positive feedback from others about how they play just a bit differently - their long game is great to watch.”

Well done to the Allenton All Boys on an outstanding finish to their season!

Article added: Wednesday 16 August 2023