Seven of the Queanbeyan Netball Association's most talented young players will test their skills against extremely tough opponents this weekend, when they take part in the NSW Academy Games in Newcastle.
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Jess McDonald, Sophie McInerney, Hailey Ruyssenaers, Laura Sierant, Eleni Lolesio, Claire Robinson, and Rosaja Blazeski were selected from the South East Sports Academy program to play in this weekend's event.
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The selections, while pleasing, did not come as a huge surprise to QNA president Kelly Lolesio.
"Queanbeyan is really competitive in our juniors, and a lot of premier league players in the ACT and Sydney come out of our association," Lolesio said.
"We're really proud of our grassroots program which produces so many good players."
The NSW Academy Games feature players from various development programs pitted against one another in seven sports, including netball, hockey, basketball, golf, softball, Aussie Rules, and triathlon.
The matches will take place from Friday, April 16 to Sunday, April 18, and will be hosted by the Hunter Academy of Sport.
The South East Sports Academy, who the Queanbeyan players will represent, takes players from as far north as Boorowa and as far south as Eden.
It is a regional academy which provides "holistic programs that include technical and skill development, physical preparation and personal development components", as stated on its website.
The selection process for the Newcastle matches was arduous and featured input from a number of high-profile selectors.
"They brought in some independent selectors from the ACT and we had an ex-Australian coach come and do the selections, the girls really had to work hard to make it into the team," Lolesio said.
As all representative fixtures early in 2020 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be the Queanbeyan players' first opportunity in nearly two years to play at this level.
Though the girls are all excited, Lolesio said, there is also a distinct feeling of nerves among the group as well.
"The Academy games were called off last year, so they've come back this year with a bit of a fighting spirit because they want to play," she said.
"They are nervous, and because they didn't have this competition last year, there's more nerves and excitement and pressure because they've been waiting two years instead of just a few months."
Training for the games began in January, so despite their nerves, the seven girls are well-prepared for the games.
Selection in the SESA teams are the latest accolades awarded to the QNA players, after five (McDonald, McInerney, Ruyssenaers, Sierant, and Ella Cummins) were recently named in the South Coast Blaze Development Identification Program, and one (Eleni Lolesio) in the Capital Spirit Academy.
Ahead of their upcoming representative duties, Lolesio wished all the players luck on behalf of the QNA.
"We're extremely proud of them all and we wish them all the best for the academy games and the Talent Identification Programs," she said.
