SWNFL 2023: Dunsborough hoping to build itself up as sporting town after joining South West netball comp

After a largely successful first day out on the netball courts, the Dunsborough Sharks are hopeful they will help continue putting the town on the sporting map.

Like its football counterpart, the South West Netball Football League has continued to expand, recently welcoming the Dunsborough Sharks into the fold.

Featuring teams in the masters, 18-and-under, and 16-and-under divisions, the Sharks had their first lot of home games at the Naturaliste Community Centre last weekend in round two of the 2023 season.

In the midst of tough contests against the Donnybrook Blackwood Ravens, the masters fell just short 39-24, the Sharks’ 18-and-under team edged out the Ravens 31-28 to bounce back from their round-one loss to Augusta-Margaret River, and the 16-and-under team put up a strong effort to win 37-21.

Club secretary Jo-Anne Miller said the home fixtures attracted a crowd eager to see local netballers make their debut for the Sharks.

“It was a great turn-out,” she said.

“It was amazing to see people come down and watch the girls in what was their first games playing for Dunsborough.”

Dunsborough’s addition to the South West Netball Football League had been a plan set in motion since last year as the committee worked to nominate teams after the Dunsborough Sharks Football Club joined the South West Football League.

“It’s always been a dream to have a netball team align with the football team so we put the wheels in motion,” Ms Miller said.

“It was a bit of a long process but we had a great time getting everything together and seeing it all come together on the court.

“All the hard work we’ve done to get it all up and running has been really worth it.”

Ms Miller said the Sharks were already looking forward to expanding their presence in the SWNFL next year, with the potential additions of a league and reserves team.

“We’ve already got a waiting list for masters which is amazing,” she said.

“We’re very lucky and as the girls grow up, there would definitely be a league an reserves team in the future hopefully as soon as next year.

“The town is growing so much and our girls have always had to travel to Busselton to play so it’s just amazing to have our own Dunsborough team and being able to play in town as well as travelling to Collie, Bunbury and Bridgetown.”