Ogilvy senior copywriter Stephen Sheldon reflects on this year’s ACA Agency v Agency Netball Competition held last Friday in Melbourne.
With Spring almost sprung, and the last two locked down years in Melbourne a distant memory, it was time once again to cram three-hundred or so advertising and media types into the netball courts of Albert Park Indoor Sports Centre to battle it out for ultimate supremacy.
As excitement reached fever pitch, so began a gruelling round-robin style competition, in which a total of eighteen agencies pitted their netty mettle against one another. The shadow of reigning champions Noisy Beast loomed large over competition, as hopeful challengers donned their bibs, taped their nails, gritted their teeth for what lay ahead.
Some say advertising folk take competition a little too seriously. They would be right. The ensuing action playing out across the courts was electric. Comically so. You’d think we were playing for sheep stations. Nonetheless, after some truly epic on-court battles officiated by the iron-fisted people in white (who’d definitely had enough of the general lack of rule comprehension), it came down to two sides.
Wunderman Thompson (pictured above), led by captain Annabelle ‘Shoey’ Sheridan. And Big Red, helmed by captain Georgia ‘Killer’ Carns. After a clash of titanic proportions, in the end it was Wunderman Thompson that took home the chocolates claiming the winners title for 2022.
But it wasn’t all about on-field performance. With best dressed agency also up for grabs, many teams wisely leaned into things we’re good at, funny visuals and silly puns.
VMLY&R, captained by Isabel ‘Executioner’ Evans covered themselves in gold, and glory with their amazing living trophy ensemble, while the mythical unicorns of Fenton Stephens (pictured above) came in a close second.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an industry event without plenty of food and drink, and after the ‘friendly rivalry’ died down, teams mingled in a great post-match catch up provided by the event sponsor, Peach.
Now, with pre-season well and truly underway, the eighteen hopeful teams are already putting in the hard yards and setting their sights on tasting sweet victory in 2023. Bring it on.
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