Written by Amelia Barnes
When Eva Ryan steps out on court at this week’s National Netball Championships (NNC) it will follow a very busy few months for the 16-year-old from Warrnambool.
Since being selected in Victoria’s 17/U state team, Ryan’s parents have been driving her to Melbourne twice a week for training sessions, on top of playing at Parkville Netball on Tuesdays.
That’s 18 hours of driving a week Ryan is managing around her year 11 studies, but it’s all worth it for a chance to represent her state.
Making the 17/U state team is Ryan’s first ever high performance selection.
“It was so surreal and just so exciting because it's such a big milestone and I've never been in a team like that before,” said Ryan on her selection.
Ryan first broke into the Netball Victoria athlete pathway representing Hampden Football Netball League in the 15&U division at the 2022 Western Region Association Netball Championships.
She was talent identified (TID) at the event and subsequently selected in the Netball Victoria Talent Academy for the Western region.
Ryan has since participated in Netball Victoria’s inaugural Elevate pathway program, designed to provide promising athletes aged 15-18 years with a controlled training environment to support improved physical preparation in the leadup to state team trials.
Athletes in the Elevate program attend up to four sessions a week across three days focusing on court work, gym, and recovery.
Ryan said both Talent Academy and Elevate were beneficial for introducing her to a higher performance standard and allowing her to meet fellow athletes from across the state.
“I definitely got exposed to a very different style of game and a bunch of different coaches, which helped just add different things to my game.
“I also started strength and conditioning programs, which I'd never done before.”
Those who have seen Ryan play for her local Warrnambool Football Netball Club may be surprised to see her donning more of the goal keeper bib at NNC.
Traditionally a holding shooter, Ryan has recently been focusing more on her defensive game that impressed selectors at state trials.
Her 192cm height and ability to keep a steady head in high pressure situations lends itself to the defensive circle, where controlling adrenaline rushes is crucial.
“The exposure to defence has been great and taught me heaps, and just helps extend and improve different parts of my game,” said Ryan.
She’ll be joined in the defence end by fellow state team debutante Eliza Burge, who Ryan plays with in the Melbourne University Lightning Futures team that feeds the club’s Victorian Netball League (VNL) sides.
She’ll also line up alongside other regional-based teammates including co-captains Mia Aitken from Geelong and Mackenzie O’Dwyer from Barooga.
Ryan says it’s encouraging to see more regional athletes being represented at high performance levels, including Colac-born Zara Walters who has signed with the Melbourne Vixens.
“It’s so inspiring to see her make such a high level of netball. Just seeing anyone from my area making elite levels in football, netball, and cricket, is so good to see. Zara is definitely a great example of that,” said Ryan.
The teenager’s advice to other regional-based athletes is simply to take every opportunity and coaching that comes their way.
“I think it's definitely hard to stand out, you don't have as much exposure to selectors from Melbourne playing in a small town.
“I'd say my advice would just be to get out of your comfort zone, try out for heaps of different teams, and take every opportunity, whether it's playing locally or at a higher level and just taking on any feedback.”
Right now, Ryan is taking every day as it comes with the aim of improving her game, enjoying her time on court, and eventually being signed to a VNL side.
At NNC, she’ll be tested against the best netballers of her age in the country, in the hopes of further progressing through the state and national pathways.
“I’m a little bit nervous, but very excited.”
Book your tickets now for the National Netball Championships at Jubilee Park Stadium, Frankston, or watch via livestream on KommunityTV from 9-14 April 2024.
