Written by Amelia Barnes
Association Championships are the first step in the Netball Victoria pathway where more than 350 players are talent identified every year.
Over 180 associations and their representative teams participate in the competition, hosted across six regions encompassing both metropolitan and regional Victoria.
Talent scouts are present at each venue looking for promising athletes to trial for the Netball Victoria Talent Academy – the next step in the state’s netball pathway.
Among talent identified players at the 2022 Central West competition was Sahara Ball, playing in the 15&Under Female division for Parkville Netball.
Ball says the tournament was a great opportunity to play competitively against other representative sides in the region and bond with her fellow teammates. “Everyone was playing for each other,” she said.
The gifted shooter was one of 76 talent identified players at the event. “I was very excited. I felt very lucky and fortunate,” said Ball on being recognised.
Talent identified players are invited to trial for Netball Victoria Talent Academy. This program aims to assist players throughout Victoria to reach their potential, provide an avenue towards state and national representation, and impart essential education relevant to netball.
Ball was successful at trials, making it into the Central West Talent Academy. She relished the opportunity in the program to develop as a player, meet new people, and be coached by Eliza Allen. “I absolutely loved it,” she said.
Athletes in each region’s Talent Academy meet once a month for training and specialist sessions, followed by the annual Inter Academy Weekend. This event allows athletes from all the state’s Talent Academies to apply learned skills over a two-day competition, and compete against the other regions.
The Inter Academy Weekend is also an important part of the Netball Victoria pathway, allowing selectors to view all Academy athletes together and talent identify players to attend the 17/Under state squad selections.
Not only was Ball talent identified at the Inter Academy Weekend, she made it through several subsequent rounds of state squad trials to be selected in the 2023 17/U Victorian State team.
At just 15 years of age, Ball is one of the youngest athletes in the 2023 state squad. “I was in shock honestly,” said Ball on learning she’d been selected. “I did not think I was going to make it.”
The 17/U Victorian State team will compete at the annual National Netball Championships in Darwin in April.
In addition to playing for the 17/U State team, Ball remains in the 2023 Central West Talent Academy, and plays for Melbourne University Lightning. Ball is in the club’s Bolts 1 team competing in Parkville’s Premier Open Division 1, and she has recently been elevated to the Lightning’s 19/Under team competing in the Victorian Netball League (VNL).
Her fast progression along the Netball Victoria pathway is a credit to her talent, dedication, and participation in the Association Championships less than 12 months ago.
Ball encourages other passionate netballers to trial for their local association’s representative team for the chance to participate in Association Championships.
“It’s such a good experience going to tournaments… It was so much fun. I got so much out of it and learnt so much.”
Association Championships is the first step in the Victorian netball pathway for players, coaches, umpires and officials.
Associations and Leagues can register teams for the 2023 Association Championships via Netball Connect – registrations close Friday 28 April.
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