Two celebrity-packed teams took the netball court in front of a full house at Melbourne’s Hisense Arena on Sunday 6 June, for the annual Netball’s Festival of Stars charity match.
 

Led by captain Luke Darcy, the MARS Red beyondblue team emerged victorious over Liz Ellis’ Holden Cruze National Breast Cancer Foundation team after a fiercely contested and slightly unconventional match played over two halves.
 

With celebrity players including sporting greats James Tomkins, Lydia Lassila, Liz Ellis and Glenn Archer, as well as breakfast radio rivals Dave Hughes, Mieke Buchan, Lehmo and Brigitte Duclos, the game was brimming with entertainment, passion and pride.
 

However, there was much more than just bragging rights at stake.

Thanks to event sponsors ANZ, Holden and MARS, the winning team stood to receive $10,000 for its charity partner, with the runner-up scoring $5,000.
 

In addition, ANZ were offering $1,000 to the charity of the team to score the first goal in each half, and then $100 for each subsequent goal.
 

Darcy scored the opening goal of the match, and his star recruit Rebecca Twigley shot the first goal of the second half, notching up $2,000 for beyondblue.
 

With the final score line MARS Red beyondblue 11 to Holden Cruze National Breast Cancer Foundation 9, the final tallies for the charity partners were $2,900 and $900 respectively. 
 

The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s tally was significantly boosted by the late addition of Melbourne Vixens shooter Caitlin Thwaites.  Initially recruited as team coach, it quickly became evident that Thwaites’ team needed some hands-on assistance from the expert.
 

Dave Hughes was announced as Player of the Match, after scoring an impressive goal from long range. 
 

While some claimed that celebrity umpires Natalie Medhurst of the Queensland Firebirds and former Australian netball player Wendy Fleming took some liberties in their interpretation of the rules, all agreed that the winner of the day was indeed netball.
 

The crowd was treated to a magnificent performance by Paulini following the celebrity match. 
 

The 2010 Netball’s Festival of Stars was  proudly presented by event sponsors ANZ, Holden and MARS and broadcast partner Network Ten.