Local push for netball pathways

BALLARAT’S budding netballers will soon see their skills tested after being spotted by Netball Victoria representatives.

The latest round of talent identification will see 19 athletes from across the Ballarat Football Netball League, Ballarat Netball Association, and Central Highlands Football League considered to join NV’s junior programs.

Among the players, five are part of the Ballarat Football Netball Club.

BFNC junior netball director Rebecca Crosbie-Doube said they’ve seen a spike in the number of members who’ve been talent identified.

“Over the last few years, we’ve only ever had one or two,” she said. “So, it was really good to see five come through.

“It’s been a really good representation from the Ballarat and Central Highlands regions but to have five out of the one club has been fantastic.

Each selected player will have the potential to trial for the 17 7 Under and 18 and Under state programs at the Netball Victoria Talent Academy in Melbourne later this year.

Crosbie-Doube said the programs are about opening players up to opportunities for further development.

“This is recognising our girls for a talent and putting them on a pathway to the next possible step like moving into the state teams then things like the SunCorp Super Netball and even higher,” she said.

“I think there’s been a bigger focus post-COVID on developing the squad girls and giving them more opportunity by attending more championships.”

BFNL netball manager Gemma Murphy said there’s been a greater push to get Ballarat’s teams in front of talent scouts.

“We sent through extra teams from our region to take part in the Association Championships, and give kids a better opportunity to be talent identified” she said.

“Some of the regions I look after, we all sent double the amount of teams we normally would.

“Usually BFNL would take 13s, 15s, and 17s. This year, I took two 15s teams. Maryborough Castlemaine [District Football Netball League] usually take three teams and this time they took five.

“We’re just exposing more and more kids to have level and giving them that access. It’s also a pathway for coaches and umpires as well.”