Hailing from Kangaroo Flat, Will Whiteacre and his family commute an hour and 40 minutes to Parkville every week to be involved in Junior MLeague. But travel doesn’t seem to faze the youngster, who has unearthed his passion for netball thanks to his sister.
“My sister’s team were looking for a player for their summer comp and I put my hand up and just started playing, that was back in 2017,” Will said.
Although he no longer plays with his sister, Will’s love for the sport has only continued to blossom playing both locally at South Bendigo Junior Netball Club and Waverley District in MLeague.
“I’m at a different club so I play against my old side now… I always beat them,” he chuckled.
Netball has not only been a physical outlet for Will, but so too a social one with the 14-year-old loving the opportunity to branch out and meet new people.
Before netball, Will played hockey but had to make the tough decision to choose between the two sports due to training sessions and games clashing.
“I played field hockey for two or three years and then netball took over as I became more passionate about it. I thought at the time that I was a bit better at netball than I was hockey and I liked netball more.”
Will is versatile out on court, able to pull on the wing attack or goal attack bib credit to his ability to read the play and create space in attack.
“I like being able to run two thirds of the court but also getting in the circle and shooting.
“Wing attack is more helping the goalers get the goals, you’re the ball carrier in the attack end, so when your goalers have a good game you know that you’ve done your job and you’ve had a good game.”
Playing in Junior MLeague has been a great progression for Will who is loving the challenge.
“Playing against boys and men makes you think more and position differently, you’ve got to think smart and be ready to take some physical pressure,” he said.
An avid netball fan, Will admitted to watching as much netball as he possibly could – whether it be on TV or live in person – and loved seeing the Australian men take on New Zealand in the curtain raiser at the Diamonds versus Silver Ferns test match in October.
“We were up in the stands, maybe even the first in the stadium and it was really cool to finally see men’s netball get the recognition they deserve – it’s a great sport to watch, it’s just as good to watch as the women.”
Already with a long list of accolades including representing Victoria at the 2020 Australian Men’s Mixed Netball Association (AMMNA) Championships at the ripe age of 12, and a current member of the Victorian 17/Under side, it’s fair to say Will has a bright future ahead and he holds some high aspirations.
“I’d like to make the Australian Open’s side and be on TV, and for netball to become even more of a professional sport so boys at a younger age can see there is a pathway.”
Places are available for boys aged 11-14 to join MLeague this season. If you want to know more, contact Craig Moore (mleague@vmmna.org | 0402 017 383).
