Sharni Layton is one of five Australian Diamonds chosen for Samsung’s #RethinkRoleModels

NETBALLER Sharni Layton is hoping to inspire young girls to just be themselves — she features in a short film as part of a new campaign.

Sharni Layton is a big believer in that if you get knocked down you should get back up again. Picture: Brett Costello

Most people look up to Sharni Layton — she’s 188cm tall so they have to.

But the strong Australian netball player has more going for her than just her height, and she is one of the stars of a campaign by the Australian Netball Diamonds and Samsung Electronics Australia to shine a light on positive role models.

Layton stars in the Rethink Role Models campaign, which includes a miniseries showcasing how five of the Diamonds squad have overcome adversity to represent Australia.

In the series, Layton, Caitlyn Bassett, Laura Geitz, Paige Hadley and Kim Ravaillion tell their story of overcoming struggles to reach the top.

Layton is a two-time World Championship gold medallist and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist and her mini-film is titled Prove Them Wrong.

“The image I want to portray is about being yourself and not trying to fit in,” the NSW Swifts defender from Rozelle said. “For me, it’s really exciting.

“As netballers we don’t have the platform that other sports do in regards to recognition, it’s definitely getting better.

“But there aren’t a lot of female role models for young girls to look up to in the sporting world. “So for me, my whole persona is all about wanting girls to be themselves, wanting them to work really hard.

“If you look on my social media I’m always putting that out there so now I’m going to have a bigger platform to be able to do that means I’ll be able to reach more people, which is really exciting for me.”

Sharni Layton is a fantastic role model. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Layton said people are free to look up to whoever they want, but she identifies with stronger characters who don’t bow to perceived ideals.

“For me, I love your Pinks,” she said.

“You can see who she is and see what she stands for.

“She’s being real and she’s something to aspire to and not to have to worry about body image, which is such a big thing these days, but it’s the mental side that is so much more important.

“We don’t want kids looking at that and feeling they have to be a certain way when they can just be who they are.”

Chief Executive of Netball Australia Kate Palmer said she thought it was an important program and said she welcomed the new partnership and recognised the potential of the initiative.

“We want to celebrate the values of hard work, determination and passion that we see in our sport,” she said.

“We are proud to partner with Samsung to support this meaningful campaign, challenging the notion of a role model.

“Our Diamonds demonstrate courage, skill and dogged determination, with the utmost respect for their teammates and opposition alike.

“With 1.2 million Australians currently playing netball, we hope our Diamonds’ values and personal stories will inspire young Australians.”