Alix McDermott takes captain spot for national netball championships in Canberra

ALIX McDermott wears the captain's armband for the under-21s national netball championships this week in Canberra.

FORMER St Patrick's College, Campbelltown, student Alix McDermott was honoured when she was given the captain's armband for the under-21s national netball championships this week in Canberra.

The 20-year-old said her experience in the national tournament helped her selection as captain.

"I've played in the under-21s nationals for the last four years, both for NSW and also for the ACT," McDermott, a former Varroville netballer, said.

"This is the last year I can play under-21s so it was nice to give me the captaincy."

McDermott will draw on her experience, which includes back-to-back national titles with NSW under-21s in 2010 and 2011, to lead the team. She also gained international experience playing for the Australian team for the under-21 International Netball Series in Ballarat last year.

McDermott said her aim as captain was to focus on one game at a time.

"I want the team to stay focused on each game and not focus on end result, which adds unnecessary stress," she said. "We'll have to take the opportunities as they come and it's important to focus on each game as we are a young and inexperienced team."

McDermott said she was banking on the element of surprise.

"A lot of our senior players moved on to the ANZ Championship so other states aren't expecting our young team to do well. But we have a lot of talent and hopefully we'll shock the competition," she said.

WHO: Alix McDermott, 20

WHAT: Named NSW captain for the under-21s national netball championships

WHEN: Tuesday to this Sunday, March 17

WHERE: Canberra

AIMS: McDermott hopes to perform at a high level this week to impress selectors for the World Youth Cup tournament, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland in August.

CAREER:

* 2013 NSW under-21 team

* 2009-2013 NSWIS scholarship holder

* 2011-2012 AIS scholarship holder

* 2012 ACT under-21 team

* 2011 under-21 national champion

* 2011 NSW under-21 team