Two local netballers have just been selected for the Southern Sports Academy netball squad - one of them being the youngest member on the team.
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Hennessy Catholic College student, 16-year-old Micaela Hall, and Boorowa Central student, 14-year-old Olivia Gay were chosen for the team following a sucessful two-day trial in Junee last month.
Up to 20 players aged between 14 and 17-years-old were selected for the scholarship with Micaela making it straight into the squad for a second year.
Olivia was initially chosen as one of the team’s reserve players, however one member withdrew from the team, opening the door for the teenager to join the full squad.
“I didn’t believe it when Greg McCleay, head of the the Southern Sports Academy, rang my school,” Olivia said.
“It’s pretty exciting being the only 14-year-old in the squad - there was a lot of other 17-year-olds there and I got in over them,” she said.
Micaela said she was a little shocked to be selected this year despite having played for the squad last season.
“I was a bit shocked because I was injured,” she said.
The selection will now see the girls attend training sessions once a month at Junee Aquatic Centre as well as a number of sessions at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra and Allphones Arena in Sydney.
It will all be in preparation for academy games held over the year as well as the NIB Games in Maitland in July 2013.
Their December training session involved the girls undergoing a series of fitness tests, ball skills sets and footwork, building up to court work.
Olivia has been playing with the Young District Netball Association for the last year, usually in the position of defence.
But her first time on the squad will see her play centre court.
“The academy moved me because I’m quite short to play defence - it’s a bit different, I’ve never played centre before, I enjoy it,” Olivia said.
Micaela will be playing in her usual position as shooter.
“[I am excited about the year ahead] - I know a couple of players this year plus I have someone from the Young/Boorowa area coming with me so I’m not so nervous,” Micaela said.
Both girls have been playing netball from a young age and have big goals in their sights for the future.
While Micaela plans to continue to improve and climb higher in the sport, Olivia’s ultimate goal is to one day play for the Australian Netball Diamonds.
