The under-14s led the way finishing fourth in division two with 11 wins and two draws from their exhausting schedule of 17 games over the three day.

The under-12s were not overwhelmed by their first experience on the big stage coming sixth with a tournament tally of 12 wins, one draw and just four losses.

The under-13 team came ninth in division two and came away with a record of 10 wins and seven losses.

The under-15s squared their ledger with nine wins from their 18 games to finishing seventh.

“It was an outstanding effort by all the teams and no doubt the best result we’ve had overall at representative level for some years,” Maitland Netball Association president Kim Starkey said.

“We’ve had individual teams perform well in the past, with an under-12 team winning division two, but this is the first time all four of our teams have recorded top 10 finishes.

“The spirit across the whole group was fantastic. They were all just so enthusiastic and did the city proud with their sportmanship on the court and behaviour off.

“We even had one person, not associated with the association, post a message on our Facebook page that our under-12s exemplified everything that was good about netball.

“She had just been watching them and had been amazed at their enthusiasm, constant smiles and great behaviour.”

The Coalfields as a whole had a great tournament with Cessnock’s under-13s winning division three, the under-14s close runners up also in division three and the under-12s (division three) and under-15s (divison four) also recording top 10 finishes, both coming seventh.

Kurri Kurri’s three teams were all very competitive with a top 10 finish in division four by their under-13 team and under-12s and under-15s finishing 11th and 15th respectively.

Starkey said the outstanding results by the four Maitland teams was well deserved and fitting reward for the incredible commitment shown with a busy schedule of carnivals and weekly training sessions since February.

The association will be holding trials for the 2019 titles in September or October.

The Maitland Netball Association’s regular Saturday competition resumes on July 21 after a break for the school holidays.