A Year 6 netball team from Mathilda Marks-Kennedy Jewish Primary School (MMK) has ended its primary school run on an extraordinary high – retiring undefeated after winning six consecutive Maccabi tournaments over two years.
The team sealed their final victory on 18 June with a nail-biting 2–1 win over Independent Jewish Day School (IJDS), long-time rivals and previous finalists, to lift the trophy for the last time.
Across the six tournaments, the MMK squad scored 129 goals and conceded just 19. Jessica Lee alone netted 93.
“What unfolded was the most beautiful, skilful display of Year 6 netball,” said coach Amy Ansell. “They don’t play like Year 6 girls. Their experience in both in and out of school netball shone through, and they played the slickest, calmest netball I’ve seen from them.”
Photo: Mathilda-Marks Kennedy (MMK)
MMK breezed through the group stages with three clean-sheet wins – beating Rimon and Eden 6–0, and Rosh Pinah Blue 4–0 – before dominating Sinai Red 4–1 in the semi-final. The final was described as “tense” and “scrappy”, but the girls held their lead to the whistle.
“We made mistakes. So did they. But we held them off and kept possession until the final whistle blew,” said Ansell. “We’d done it again. The relief was unbelievable.”
She praised the team’s sportsmanship as much as their stats. “They shook hands, cheered each other and thanked the organisers. They are quite literally unbeatable.”
All 11 squad members were awarded MVPs: Jessica Lee, Betsy Rose, Ariella Gleek, Lielle Shafran, Mila Ansell, Ruby Ordever, Tali Fine, Georgia Nathan, Jessie Last, Dayna Speker and Sarah Dadusc Sade.
Photo: Mathilda-Marks Kennedy (MMK)
“I’m sad their MMK netball careers are over,” Ansell said, “but what a legacy to leave behind.”
The girls now move on to secondary school, having secured their place in the school’s sporting history.
