Shooting for big things

Amy, who has been showing up to netball since she was a 9-year-old playing Net Set Go, has just been named in the Queensland Netball Squad.

“Mum called me when I was at the Sunshine Coast for a State Age netball carnival and she told me to go outside where no one could hear me,” Amy remembers. “She told me I had been invited to train with the Queensland squad and I started bawling! I was so happy.”

As well as making the Queensland Netball Squad, Amy has just made the Panthers team for the first time – the youngest athlete in the line-up. “When I get to play at Nissan Arena in the Panthers dress, it will definitely be surreal. I’ve grown up watching the Panthers play and dreaming of one day being lucky enough to be on their squad.”

But luck doesn’t have anything to do with it; if netball has taught her anything, Amy says it’s about putting in the time, the effort and the hard work - and that training certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted! “Before our first State netball camp in January, we were emailed a conditioning program which consisted of different exercise and lots of runs. I’ve learnt that showing up is the only way to get better, even if it is a slow process. I’ve also learnt that sprints are not my forte!

“A normal training set consists of warm up, some sort of fitness work, footwork, passing, drills, drills and more drills and then game play.”

Being a goal shooter, the training doesn’t stop there. “As part of the conditioning for the goal shooters, after the fitness session we have to put in 20 to 30 shots to get our bodies and minds used to shooting under fatigue. What makes it worthwhile is knowing that I get to train and play alongside some really talented athletes. 

“Goal shooter is my favourite position – knowing that when I, or the other shooter gets a shot in, everyone on court lifts and performs to their best ability.”

Netball has always been a big part of Fairholme sporting life, and one which Amy says has taught her about sportsmanship, the power of teamwork and always putting in 100% effort. “Fairholme has given me so many opportunities to play in different teams and competitions and has taught me so many lessons.

“Last year, I had the privilege of playing for the Senior Vicki Wilson 1 team a year early. If I hadn’t started netball at Fairholme and continued playing in the Saturday and Wednesday competitions, I most likely wouldn’t be where I am now.”

Where to from here? “Every little girl playing netball dreams about playing for the Aussie Diamonds, so it would be pretty cool if that could happen for me one day. However, as a starting point, I would love to play in the Suncorp Super Netball competition.”

Until that happens, Amy says she will continue to show up, because that’s what Fairholme netball has taught her.