The Rumbalara youngsters set to have an impact in A-grade grand final

By Zac Standish

Sep 14, 2022

Wonderful opportunity: Nakiah Bamblett, 16, and Yilanii Atkinson, 17, will take the court for Rumbalara on grand final day. Photo by Aydin Payne

The Rumbalara squad set to take the court in Saturday’s Murray Netball League A-grade grand final is one filled with stars.

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From the reliability of coach Jess Bamblett in defence, to the class of shooter Natasha Atkinson-Brown in attack, there is no shortage of talent and experience set to don the Rumba colours on grand final day.

But among these out-and-out superstars of the Murray League, two young girls will be given the opportunity to test themselves on the biggest stage, and could be the X-factor that gets Rumba over the line.

Nakiah Bamblett, 16, and Yilanii Atkinson, 17, have been hand-picked to join the Rumbalara A-grade setup throughout this finals series after standout campaigns in the under-17s this season.

An invaluable experience for the duo as they continue to climb the ranks, Atkinson said she had loved every minute of being part of the A-grade team.

“It has been a great challenge for me,” Atkinson said.

“I have adapted pretty well (to A-grade) I reckon, it is a lot different to the under-17s the pace is much faster and a lot more intense.

“But it has been so good being able to play with the A-grade girls, I have learned a lot from how they prepare, and all the girls have been so welcoming.”

Set to start the match on the bench, the two girls will add plenty of run for the Rumbalara group as they look to do what no other team has done this season and defeat Deniliquin Rams.

Bamblett outlined her mindset heading into the match and she hopes to impact proceedings.

“For me it is just about being focused and ready to step up and contribute,” Bamblett said.

“I haven’t played in any netball grand finals before, so I don’t really know what to expect, but I think the atmosphere will be electric and it will certainly be different with the amount of supporters.”

And while they haven’t experienced the preliminary final heartbreak and near misses their teammates have had to endure, the pair still understand the magnitude of the occasion and what it would mean to be involved in an A-grade premiership at Rumba.

“It would be pretty special and I would be very privileged to be part of an A-grade premiership,” Atkinson said.

“It is great to be part of the squad and going through the finals with them, and hopefully I can help us win that premiership on Saturday.”