Team bond so strong, U13 Netball Blues reluctant to finish training sessions

FOUR Blacktown City netballers are representing the NSW Blues under-13 team this year. The players were selected from 65 girls over three lots of trials.

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FOUR Blacktown City netballers are representing the NSW Blues under-13 team this year.

The players were selected from 65 girls over three lots of trials.

Alaze Keelan, Jacinta Kailash, Olivia Morales and Isabelle Vidaic play for Blacktown City Netball Association’s representative under-13 side.

Jacinta plays for the under-15 Nagle team.

The under-13 Blues team has already set the bar high this season, having come third in the Indoor Netball Junior Nationals.

Coach Cherish Keepa-Hardman said the players had developed a strong bond.

“Girls at this age are amazing because they’re still developing a lot of their skill, they’re learning together which means they bond like super glue,” Keepa-Hardman said.

“Getting them to leave training and go home is proving to be getting harder each week.”

She said a new style of netball has been introduced at the junior national level.

“Traditionally the competition was seven-a-side,” she said.

“However the new comp brings in a six-a-side competition which brings a different style of play.

“You lose the centre ­position and both wing ­attack and wing defence are changed to what is called link.

“The links and the goal shooter and goal attack are able to shoot from outside of the circle which is worth two points.”

Keepa-Hardman said the focus for the training sessions has been teaching the girls to adapt to six-a- side.

“Fitness and smart transition is key in this new game,” she said.

“Repetition with particular training drills at this age has been something that the coaching staff of the team have focused on to ensure, while the girls are away and feeling fatigued, they remain consistent on court.”

Junior Sports Star Team Spirit is sponsored by SportsTG. Nominate at juniorsportsstar.com.au