It was the final round of home and away matches for eight team sections and also the final round of Juniors Orange Ball sections with 15 teams invited to Drysdale for a Gala Day to celebrate the end of the season.
The Orange Ball sections give newcomers to the junior competition a smaller court and modified format to introduce them to match play and scoring, with the added bonus of parents being able to guide the players, and those not so familiar with the game to also learn the rules and etiquette.
While individual matches are played with scoring, ladders are not kept, to encourage focus on learning the game rather than winning. Due to this there is no finals series for these sections, but to congratulate the players on a successful season, the teams were invited to Drysdale to play their final round with Barwon Heads, St Mary’s, Clifton Springs, Leopold, Grovedale, Teesdale, Inverleigh, Meredith, Geelong Lawn and Geelong West all playing on the day.
The matches were run over two time slots, and with the weather warming up, the canteen was given a workout from players, parents and siblings. Play was conducted in great spirits and all the players and families enjoyed a sausage after their matches with the players presented with certificates to commemorate their season, many of whom was their first.
A new season will run over winter giving all players to continue hone their skills, with the most improved having the opportunity to graduate to Green Ball.
