Two budding netball stars of the west are winging their way to the Gold Coast for the opportunity of a lifetime.
West Footscray’s Helena Gonebale says her daughter Elisa and niece Isabella, both 11, are over the moon at having been selected in the Victorian Aboriginal Seven Sisters netball team.
The team will head to Queensland in the first week of January to compete against other states.
Ms Gonebale said the national tournament offered the opportunity to try out for the Australian indigenous schoolgirls’ netball team, the Budgies.
“Elisa got involved last year – one of her friends played in the local club, the Footscray Shooting Stars,” Ms Gonebale said.
“She was having a bit of a rough time at school with the kids – it’s been really good for helping her build relationships and she has really refocussed at school.”
Ms Gonebale said the girls only agreed to try out if they could help raise the money to cover costs such as uniforms, flights and accommodation.
Since learning of their selection they have hosted fundraisers, including sausage sizzles and a garage sale.
The cousins are hosting an online raffle, selling T-shirts online and doing odd jobs to raise the funds for the trip, along with seeking donations and sponsorship support.
Further details: www.gofundme.com/bella-lissys-state-team-dreams
