Rising netball star Elisa Gonebale has shone brightly on the national stage, helping the Victorian Aboriginal Seven Sisters Netball Team take out the Australian Indigenous School Girls Netball Tournament.
The talented West Footscray netballer and her cousin Isabella, both 11, played starring roles in the recent tournament on the Gold Coast, helping the team rocket through the tournament undefeated.
Elisa backed up the win with selection in the Australian Indigenous Schoolgirls Netball Team.
The Victorian squad went through the eight-team tournament undefeated, taking out the grand final in a hard-fought match against NSW.
The nine-member team, coached by Natarsha Bamblett, brought home Victoria’s first ever premiership in the decade-old competition.
Elisa’s mother Helena Gonebale said all members of the team backed up with a strong showing among 80 hopefuls in the try outs for the National Indigenous Netball Team.
“Most of them got all the way to the final round of try outs, including Elisa and Bella, amongst some very stiff competition,” she said.
“Five of the girls on our team were selected to go on and represent the Budgies – one in the 13s and the other four in the 12A Squad – Elisa was one of those four and is excited now for the next tournament later this year.”
Ms Gonebale said the girls battled heat, nerves, illness, injury, fear and doubt but gave it everything they had.
“They certainly did their families and community proud, that’s for sure,” she said.
Elisa is fundraising to return to the Gold Coast as part of the Budgies later this year.
Details: www.gofundme.com/ElisaNational
