Netball in the New England is getting stronger all the time and, off the back of the successful Northern Inland Academy of Sport’s program, five future stars have been selected to further their skills.
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Glen Innes’ Liz Chard and Emily Burton, Armidale’s Olivia Joyce and Mia Tindale along with Scone’s Anna Atkinson were selected to be part of a new initiative by Netball NSW, the Regional Development Squad.
All five are past or present members of the NIAS program and put their hand up for state selection in the under 17’s team. From the trials, their talent on the court was recognised by high performances coaches and will have the chance to extend on their skills through the new program.
Burton has taken a role at the Academy as a trainee coach and prior to receiving her talent identification email for the regional program, she wasn’t sure how to grow in the sport.
“When I didn't know about this I thought I wouldn't be able to develop much this year because I finished NIAS and there was really only Glen netball for me but when I got this email saying I got to work with some of the top coaches in NSW I realised that they don't just send a talent ID for no reason,” she said.
“It's so exciting for people like myself and Liz from a small country town in Glen Innes where you don't get the opportunity to trial for big teams within the cities and getting this email saying you have been noticed within a small area is just amazing. It is amazing to see that they are finally seeing there is talent within the country kids.”
Chard is a current member of the NIAS playing squad but said her inclusion the of the Netball NSW program was a step further in her development as a young athlete.
“I feel it is such a massive privilege to be given such a great opportunity especially being a country kid,” she said.
“Netball NSW is making big changes and it is making it easier for country athletes.
“As this is my fourth year in the NIAS program it has offered me such great opportunities and without it there is no way I would be where I am today with the opportunities I am receiving.”
There is no doubt the local netballers are among the region’s most dedicated young athletes with both Chard and Burton spending up to six days a week on fitness and skills.
More time is spent on the fitness side of the sport but both Chard and Burton agreed understanding the basics is an essential part of the sport.
“There is a lot of hard work that is put into achieving at a high level,” Chard said.
“I work very hard doing my shooting everyday as I am a shooter, I do numerous gym sessions a week with Katie Rossington – NIAS fitness coach – and Richard Taylor who put a lot of effort into me and I am very thankful to have their great facilities and their wide range of knowledge about training
“I also do lots of skills and drills as they are such a simple yet an important part of the sport.”
Both have goals of reaching state-level, or even higher, teams and believe the new program leaves the door open to reach that level.
The duo both attributed a lot of their success in the sport to working hard and having first-class coaches in their hometown.
“Both Julie and Kirstie Fuller have played major roles in my netball pathway as they had faith in me and worked with me the whole journey and continue to do so which I am so very thankful for,” Chard said.
Burton added: “Thank you to Julie Fuller, one of my biggest influences and a big thanks to NIAS for all the work they have put into me over the last three years.”