Georgia Brown’s MADC Netball Comp Wrap-Up

Melbourne’s ad agencies took netball very seriously last Friday with 15 teams clashing at the MADC agency-vs-agency netball competition. After fierce competition and a sudden-death final, DDB claimed victory. Here, Georgia Brown from DDB Melbourne wraps up the action…

Like advertising, the MADC agency-vs-agency netball competition is not for the faint-hearted. If you’ve ever played social netball before, you might think you know how intense the game can be — but MADC agency vs agency netball turns the heat up to a whole new level. After extensive sign-up lists, lunchtime crash courses on “how to netball” with colour-coded graphs, expensed netball rings, expertly applied face paint and curated uniforms, the day finally arrived on Friday 17 October — the annual MADC Global International Worldwide Netball Competition, for Melbourne agencies only. With high anticipation and fierce competition, the day was set for some serious fun.

At the Albert Park Indoor Sports Centre, 200+ athletes from 15 agencies in fire costumes assembled to play a round-robin of netball. Hellos and hugs were exchanged, but all niceties were left off the court once the whistle blew from a very passionate umpire, Pauline — the competition was afoot. The athleticism and commitment of the players were astonishing.

Limbs everywhere, YELLING — so much yelling… Centre pass, WHISTLE! Rules that didn’t make sense, running again, back and forth, side to side, pass, WHISTLE! OBSTRUCTION! Was that me? Do I stand here? Goal, centre pass again, WHISTLE! Pretty much encapsulates the epic chaos of a match.

Fuelled by a few bevvies, the teams who made the finals found their flow and more netball battles ensued. In the end, it was DDB, helmed by captain Molly Maclean, versus VML, commandeered by captain Carly Terrens, in a sudden-death finish. DDB claimed the coveted win and ultimate clout (this goes hard in social netball circles).

Beyond the sweat, blood and groin tears on court, a second competition was at play as teams also vied for Best Dressed. Craft is the name of the advertising game and it showed — with clever, silly and entertaining costumes. VML turned heads as “The Briefs”, sporting stylish grey underwear briefs, but it was TBWA who were crowned the winners with their work-of-art dog face paint as the “Mad Dogs”, also dubbed the “Over Dogs.”

Post-match camaraderie buzzed with food and drink, as the Voltaren was passed around. The creativity on the court matched the calibre of the competition, the fun matched the intensity, and that healthy streak of ad-land competitiveness? It was in full glory.

Catch more photos from the event here.