Ten of the South West’s best young netballers will represent Western Australia later this year.
Riley Culnane, Brooke Gibson, Jessica Repacholi, Ella Taylor, Giselle Taylor, and Oshi Vale will play for the state’s Under 19s side during the National Netball Championships, held in Brisbane from April 11 to 16.
Charlie Allen, Paris Newman, Brooke Repacholi, and Chloe Wilsher will represent the U17s team.
Over the six days, the U17s and U19s will be competing in round robin-style tournaments.
Having participated in the State Schoolgirls and Fever in Time – State Academy programs, Culnane is no stranger to competition netball.
Culnane said she and her friends were eager to compete against like-minded netballers from across the country.
“It’s exciting to be able to represent your state, play alongside some of your friends, and be selected based on your talents,” she said.
“The support we get, giving us the ability to do sessions down here, is really cool.
“It’s a testament to our coaches down here. We also get a lot of support from the South West Academy of Sport.
“Being alongside some of these girls, whom I call my “sisters”, is really great as well.
“It’s exciting to be challenged, and hopefully we will get a medal.”
Over several months, the state team trials put them through their paces.
Culnane said they were tested on their skills, intellect, determination, and sportsmanship.
“We trialled in our respective teams – the U17s and U19s – before the teams were cut down to 60 players each,” Culnane said.
“We then trained as a group for a little while, before the teams were cut down again to 30 people each.
“We then trained until they announced who would be travelling to Brisbane.”
Following two trial sessions last month, ten players – Riley Culnane, Ella Taylor, Giselle Taylor, Paris Newman, Brooke Gibson, Lisa Millman, Sloan Burton, Brooke Repacholi, Jessica Repacholi, and Harmony Sutherland – were picked for the Souwest Jets’ 2019 Open side.
The team will take part in this year’s West Australian Netball League competition.
The Jets’ U20s side will feature 13 up-and-coming netballers keen to make their mark.
The club picked 21 players for its Jetstars program and another 17 for its Jets Academy squad.
Late last year, Brooke Repacholi, Ella Taylor, and Giselle Taylor were selected to represent the West Coast Fever’s 2019 Western Sting side.
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