Netball team wins championship after teammate’s death
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The Navarre Grasshoppers, a netball team from Victoria, Australia, won their grand final match 58-51 against the Carisbrook Redbacks just days after losing teammate Zanaiya Bergen in a car accident.
The 23-year-old goal shooter died on Thursday when her car collided with a tree following a training session. Despite the tragedy, the Navarre team decided to play the Maryborough Castlemaine District Netball League decider in her honour.
Bergen was in her first season with the MCDNL and had already become a key player, scoring 664 goals in 18 games and earning a place on the team of the year. League officials supported the team’s decision to play, and a minute of silence was observed before the game. Players wore purple ribbons and black armbands to remember Bergen, and the atmosphere at the match was highly emotional.
The Navarre Grasshoppers ultimately secured the victory, with video showing players in tears as the final whistle blew. A premiership medal will be presented to Zanaiya Bergen’s family, and the team and club members have been offered counselling. Beyond netball, Bergen worked as a personal aged care worker and was remembered for her kindness and positive spirit by her employer and the people she cared for.
