Goal shooter aims high

By Lachlan Ellis

A Moorabool netballer says she’s excited for the challenge, as she prepares to play in the state’s premier netball league.

Seventeen-year-old Ella Closter from Darley will wear the blue, red and white of the new Western Warriors Netball Club in the Victorian Netball League (VNL) this year – and she says hearing the club wanted her to play for their 23 & Under side was a huge surprise.

“I was very shocked, mainly because I was going away for the last set of trials, and during the trials I was like, the people I was basically competing against were amazing…I thought, surely I have no chance. But when I got the contract, it was like ‘oh my god’…it was surreal,” Ms Closter told the Moorabool News.

“It’s just amazing. It’s something I’ve been working towards for so long, and being able to finally be a part of this is just incredible. I’m one step closer.”

When asked about whether she wanted to represent Australia and play for the Diamonds, Ms Closter said it was “definitely always a dream”, but is keeping her goals more grounded for now.

“I’ve always wanted to play at a higher level, above just my club. I’ve always wanted to play as high a level of netball as I can, whatever level that may be,” she said.

“Obviously a massive thanks to the Darley Devils, they’re where I started, and they’ve pushed me to take all these opportunities and try out for these other teams, to make it as far as I have. So a massive thanks to them.”

Ms Closter begins training this week, with practice matches to begin later this month, and the VNL season will kick off in March.

She acknowledges playing against women up to six years older than her will be a challenge, but says she’s “really excited to play against, and with, some much more experienced players”.