Five years ago, fans were only offered the occasional exhibition game of Australian rules or rugby league while now we have fully-fledged national leagues that are growing at a rate of knots.

Of course sports such as netball and football have had a semi-pro presence for over a decade but we're not here to talk about code wars.

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Inclusive selection paving the way for hockey success

Let's just talk women's sport. Specifically from a Southern Highlands angle.

In the space of a week three teams, from three different age groups, across three sports left the Highlands to compete in their respective State Championships.

The result? Three pieces of silverware.

The sides responsible for the haul are the Under 17's netball team, Under 15's hockey side and Under 12's basketball squad.

The netballers headed to Bankstown confident of pushing the top sides in Division Three.

No one could have predicted their clean sweep, notching 14 wins and one draw over the three days.

Crucially, they met their nearest challenger Lismore on Day Three, and played out a 16-all draw which ultimately sealed the title.

It was a similar story for the Division Three Under 15 hockey side as they topped their pool at the State Championships in Lithgow.

A 2-1 win in final against a strong Canberra side was vindication for the hard work Dan Parker and Southern Highlands Hockey have done in re-building the rep program.

The Division Four side also made the semi-finals in Lithgow in what was the first time the Highlands had been able to send two sides in the same age group to a State Championships.

Last but certainly not least the Moss Vale Magic Under 12's also went unbeaten in their Division Three pool before a come-from-behind win over Goulburn Bears in the final.

The Magic were trailing by nine-points to their rivals at three-quarter time but a final flurry saw them take the chocolates with a 29-26 win.

Aside from the silverware there is another bonus to come out of the recent results, promotion from Division Three to Division Two next year.

While the step-up will provide a stern test, if there's anything we've learned over the past week it's that these Highland women won't back down.

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