Heart Kids Cup 2026

Congratulations to our ERNA Hawks Opens, 23U and Futures teams on competing in the HeartKids Cup, helping raise $12,500 for a wonderful cause!

Congratulations to our 23U's who placed 2nd, and to our Opens who placed 5th and finished 3rd in their pool.

The 2026 HeartKids Cup took place on 21–22 March at Netball Central, bringing together all 10 Netball NSW Premier League clubs for a weekend of pre-season competition. Opens, 23U (and emerging teams) hit the court in preparation for the upcoming season, gaining valuable match experience against strong opposition.

Beyond the on-court action, the event plays an important role in supporting HeartKids, raising both funds and awareness for children and families affected by childhood-onset heart disease. We're proud to support our own Marley Aplin (ERNA Hawks Opens player) whose brother was born with a very rare and complex heart condition - The Heartkids Cup was founded by her mum 14 years ago to raise awareness for this charity.

A feature of the weekend was the always-popular Celebrity Charity Match, which added to the community spirit and fundraising efforts. The HeartKids Cup continues to be a key event on the netball calendar, combining high-quality competition with the opportunity to support a meaningful cause.

2026 Junior Representative Camp

The Junior Representative Camp this year was held at Boronia Park, Gladesville, bringing together our 12–15 years Development and Representative squads for an exciting and engaging day. The morning kicked off with a “Survivor Challenge” team-building program, where players were encouraged to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve as they worked together to complete a series of fun and challenging tasks. It was a fantastic way for athletes to step outside their comfort zones, build trust, and start forming strong connections with their teammates.

In the afternoon, players took part in goal-setting workshops, helping them to focus on both their individual development and their contribution to the team throughout the season. They also gained valuable insights from an informative nutrition session, before being put through their paces in a series of netball skill drills led by our Premier League ERNA Hawks Opens coaches. Speed and biometrics sessions were also delivered by a qualified fitness instructor, giving players a well-rounded and high-performance experience.

What a big day! It was a wonderful opportunity for players to meet new teammates, build friendships, and strengthen team bonds. The day laid an important foundation for teamwork, communication, and a positive team culture as we head into the representative season.

Spotlight on....

This week we shine a spotlight on one of our wonderful ERNA volunteers - Sue Woodhouse.

Sue was awarded Life Membership with ERNA in 2022 and ERNA Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by Roy Maggio) in 2024.

We recently caught up with Sue to ask her a little about volunteering with ERNA.

Q. How long have you volunteered for ERNA?

A. Approx. 16 years!

Q. What are some of the Committee positions you have volunteered in at ERNA?

A. I've been involved with the Grading, Appeals, Trophy & Events and Carnival Committees over the years. I have also been Ground Supervisor at Meadowbank Park for the past 10 years.

Q. What do you enjoy about volunteering for ERNA?

A. I love meeting the club members who used to come up to the Control Tower to collect scoreboards and ask questions. I also get a lot of satisfaction being part of a great community of volunteers.

Q. Are you also a member of one of our affiliated clubs? If yes, which one?

A. I'm a Life Member of Dundas United.

Q. Did you play netball growing up? Tell us a few memories of your netball years….

A. I played netball at primary school, high school (representative) and also played in the Northern Suburbs Netball Association competition. After I married and moved to Ermington I played with Eastwood RSL with Norma Woods as the President. I then played with Aquarians when my son was younger. I was also Club Secretary for Dundas United for approx. 10 years – during those years I was awarded Life Membership with the club.

Q. What are you looking forward to once we move into our new home of netball?

A. Not getting up at 5am and meeting the Competitions Convenor Trevor at Meadowbank in the dark and cold weather to check the courts and open the building! The new facility will be very different and exciting – especially with brand new courts and better drainage!

Thanks Sue for dedicating so many years of Saturdays to our Association -

we are lucky to have you part of our ERNA family!