No club colours, just talent: how representative netballers are identified

HUNDREDS of young players have represented their hometowns in the Association Championships this month, but the pathway to representative competition is one rarely seen.

Geelong and District Netball League junior netball development coordinator, Elisha Balins, was tasked with creating the league’s representative sides this year for the first time.

With just two months to bring the squads together, it was a responsibility she did not take lightly.

Over several sessions, eligible players were invited to trial, with anonymity a key part of the selection process.

“We were looking at how we can create a team from a non-biased perspective,” Balins said.

“We had all the players come to trial and we had no idea what clubs they were from.

“They were trialling with a clean slate and because a lot of our selectors were new to the league, we also didn’t know any of the players.”

Balins said removing club attire was essential to eliminating unintended bias and ensuring every player was judged solely on their performance.

With players dressed in plain clothes, selectors could focus entirely on what they saw on court rather than being influenced by familiar colours or club reputations.

Even names were withheld from the panel, with each player identified only by a number.

Following the trials, teams were selected and training began that same week. The squads had just six training sessions before taking to the court at the Association Championships.

Despite the shortened preparation, Balins said the success the teams had on court will go far for the players’ confidence.

 

For her, representative netball is about much more than results.

“The reason I do this job is because I am so passionate about junior netball and developing the girls,” Balins said.

“Some of the girls that were selected showed that they wanted to be there, that they were determined and wanted to learn.

“I think that’s an important skill to consider: how they take on feedback, if they want to improve, if they ask questions.

“There’s this opinion that the GDFNL is the weaker league, but the girls proved that wrong over the weekend.”

Meanwhile, under AFL Barwon’s guide, Bellarine and Geelong league players were also preparing to put their best foot forward.

Torquay Netball Club had 13 players selected in Bellarine Football Netball League representative squads.

Club president Michael Gibson said the selections reflected the club’s commitment to its junior program and its focus on developing good people as well as good players.

He said the friendships, confidence and leadership skills developed through representative programs flow back into the club environment.

“They obviously train together during the week and see each other sometimes three, four times a week, so they are really close,” Gibson said.

“Their selection also helps with the culture of the club as well. Something we are really strong on as a club is making sure that the girls enjoy playing, no matter at what level.”

Players from the Bellarine, Geelong, Geelong and District, and Colac and District netball leagues, along with Geelong Central Netball Association, competed in the Central West Association Championships qualifying tournament.

Geelong Central’s 13-and-under reserve grade team progressed to the championship finals later this year.