A SPLIT is coming, but don't expect it to make singling out a premiership favourite much easier.
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After merging the Bathurst Netball Association A grade and A reserve grade competitions at the start of the 2019 season, there was some uncertainty as to what would unfold on court each Saturday.
But association president Tina Muller has been delighted to see both proven performers continue to impress and new talents emerge as they challenge themselves against more experienced rivals.
With one round to go before the competition is split - the top four ranked sides will battle it out for the A grade premiership, while the remainder of teams vie for glory in A 1 Grade - trying to pick a winner is difficult.
Though defending premiers Collegians Mystified and the consistently strong Panthers are undefeated after eight rounds, Bulldogs Verdelho are just one win behind them.
The round nine clash between Panthers Agriwest and Scots All Saints College will determine the other A grade contender - they are currently separated by for and against percentage.
Behind them just three competition points separate the remaining five teams.
"It's actually gone really well, I am really happy with how it's gone," Muller said.
"You've still got those two competitive teams, that Collegians team and the Panthers team, they are really dominant, but it's good to see some of the other teams giving them a good run even though the scorelines might not show it.
"It's going to be a really good comp [in A 1 grade], they are all sort of similar ability teams so it's anyone's really.
"I've no doubt in a couple of years our A grade competition will be really strong again. We had to do this, we just didn't have the numbers and the strength to do a solo A grade comp this year."
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Just as Muller has been pleased with the standard of netball being produced in the top grade, the strength of the competitions across the board is another positive for the Bathurst Netball Association.
While there are an increasing number of winter sport options for juniors in the city, the participation rates in netball have remained strong.
"We've still got really good numbers, especially in our juniors," Muller said.
"It's really good to see young netballers coming in and still wanting to play, especially with so many other sports available now for young girls especially. It's great to see that our numbers are still strong."
The Bathurst Netball Association competitions across the grades will resume on July 27.
