14 Victorians have been selected in the 2018 Netball Centre of Excellence National squads to head to camp in Canberra later this year.
Athletes were selected for the squads following the National Netball Championships, in which Victoria finished first (19/U) and second (17/U).
Gabrielle Dwyer has been selected in the 19/U National squad and said she was surprised to be selected.
“I was very shocked at first but I’m excited to get the opportunity to go back to the AIS and train there with some of the best players and coaches,” Dwyer said.
“I know it’s really hard to make the 19/U Aussie squad. They don’t pick a lot of girls so I didn’t know if I would be one of the girls to make it, but I’m glad I have.”
Joining Dwyer in the 19/U squad are Victorian teammates Sacha McDonald, Allie Smith, Gabrielle Coffey and Zoe Cransberg, who were also a part of the victorious 19/U team at Nationals last month.
“Some of those girls are my best friends so to be selected with them as well makes it even better,” Dwyer said.
“Having them at the camp will help take the nerves away. I play goals with Sacha so I know how to play with her. We’ve played together for years now so it will make it heaps easier on court.”
Standing at 189cm tall, Dwyer has also been included in the Tall Athlete squad, which fosters and develops taller athletes with specialist coaching and development, along with fellow Victorian Maggie Caris.
During the camps, athletes will be exposed to a high performance training environment and also feature in international competitions against England and New Zealand underage teams.
Dwyer said she is looking forward to being in such an elite environment.
“I’m most looking forward to training in that elite environment with those girls who are such good players, as well as having really great coaches coaching us and helping us develop.”
The 19/U and Tall Athlete squads will head into camp on Monday 9 July, whilst the 17/U camp will begin on Monday 1 October.
Victorians in 17/U National Squad
Ruby Barkmeyer
Taylah Brown
Maggie Caris
Hannah Mundy
Uneeq Palavi
Maddison Ridley
Tegan Stephenson
Emma Walters
Victorians in 19/U National Squad
Gabrielle Coffey
Zoe Cransberg
Gabrielle Dwyer
Daisy Hill (VIC/NT)
Sacha McDonald
Allie Smith
Victorians in Tall Athlete National Squad
Maggie Caris
Gabrielle Dwyer
