Left: The Storm is coming. From back (left to right) Jess Headley, ABC radio and television personality Drew Morphett, YMCA manager Michelle Young, Dannielle Milner, (front) Sky Huggett and Kelly Hedley were on hand to promote the Gippsland Storm Netball Club’s home game and charity night to be held on 29 July.
By Brad Kingsbury
GIPPSLAND Storm State League Netball Club will sweep into Pakenham on Saturday, 29 July and stage one of its biggest nights of the year.
The topplaced division one team and division two side will play their State League doubleheader home games against DC Force at the Pakenham Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre and then follow with a charity auction hosted by ABC personality and Pakenham local Drew Morphett.
The charity auction has been arranged to assist the families of the victims of the Mildura tragedy in February, which resulted in 13 children being injured and six killed, including the niece and nephew of Storm marketing manager Richard Prowse.
Storm coach Simon O’Shannassy said that it was an exciting event and predicted that the fact that the Storm side was playing so well and meeting the only team that had beaten it to date this season would ensure a big crowd at the game.
“We are playing above where I thought we’d be at present and that’s down to the commitment of the girls and the fact that several players have really stepped up this year,” he said.
“DC Force beat us by three goals in round eight and we want to avenge that loss in front of our home crowd.”
O’Shannassy, who spent five years as coach of Beaconsfield Netball Club and looks after the Storm’s divisiontwo side, said he had concentrated on recruiting locally and that had been a major factor in this season’s success.
“One of my main aims was to identify and exploit the talent in the local area,” he said.
“We have access to one of the biggest growth corridors in the state and we had to get our name out there. I emailed all the local clubs and had a great response. We’re seeing the benefits of that now.”
The divisiontwo game will start at 6.30pm and be followed by the divisionone game at 8pm, with doors open at 6pm.
Morphett will then host the charity auction, interviewing young Collingwood star Dale Thomas and his sister and National Netball League player Jess, together with her Melbourne Phoenix teammate Cynna Kydd.
The auction will feature memorabilia from the sport and music industries.
Sporting goods will include donated autographed items from AFL clubs like Richmond, Essendon, Collingwood, Carlton and the Brisbane Lions, together with V8 touring car team lots including autographed items from John Bowe and a signed autobiography from Dick Johnson.
Guitars and other items autographed by Australian musicians will also go under the hammer.
With inquiries phone 5941 3442 after hours.
