Two Maribyrnong Sports Academy students have been selected in the starting squad for the Victorian under-17 netball team, which will play at the national championships in Tasmania in July.
Year 12 student Kiralee Collings and year 11 student Akira Mccormack were selected in the under-17 state team, while Montaya Sardi was selected in the under-17 development squad.
Collings outlined her journey.
“I started off playing at Sunbury Netball Association where I had played domestic and then progressed into the Sunbury rep team under-11s, she said.
“I then went to a development City West Falcons VNL camp for under-11s where a squad was selected for 12 players to play in a tournament coached by Marg Lind and Nicole Richardson, who at that time they were the head coaches of Maribyrnong Sports Academy Netball program.
“In year 7, I trialled for the under-12 School Sport Victoria state team and unfortunately missed out. A few years later, I tried out for the under-15 team and made it.
“I was named captain and we came away with a silver medal. That was the best experience.
“I have made lifelong friends from other states and I felt so honoured to be wearing the navy blue representing my state.
“Currently, I am in the under-17 Victorian netball team and we are preparing to play in Tasmania for the national championships from July 6-11.
“Maribyrnong College has really influenced my journey in netball, with all of the amazing coaches that I have had (Eloise Southby and Brooke Littlepage).T hese two coaches have helped me with my skills, attitude, leadership and fitness. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
McCormack said she “fell in love with netball straight away”.
“At the age of nine, I was selected in my first rep team, Westside Saints, and then at the age of 12 I received a scholarship at Maribyrnong Sports Academy,” she said.
“I believe this has helped me with my netball,
“There are a number of things that I have accomplished: Victorian Netball League at the age of 15, zone academy at the age of 17 and in the Central West Victoria zone for three years from 2018-2021, and most recently selection in the Netball Victoria under-17 state team.”
Sardi said her netball career started at age 11, when she filled in for a netball team at Hoppers Crossing Netball Club.
“I then realised how much I enjoy playing netball,” she said.
“After a year, I started playing at Altona for Sanctuary Lakes, when I won best and fairest.
“It made me realise that I love playing this sport and I want to further my journey in netball.
“In year 7, I was accepted into Maribyrnong College Sports Academy where I have been able to improve my skills and be the best possible athlete, coached and mentored by Eloise Southby.
“Maribyrnong Sports Academy has helped me improve my ability to play netball at a higher level and love to sport that I play.
“Now at 15, I have made the under-17 Victorian development squad and I will continue to try my best and make the most of every opportunity.”
Victoria hasn’t won the championships since 2014 -– South Australia have dominated, winning four of the past five championships.
