Young netball star aims for the top

JASMINE Vella took a step in the right direction three years ago when she joined in her primary school’s netball gala day.

Junior Sports Star nominee Jasmine Vella at the Andromeda Fields court.

JASMINE Vella took a step in the right direction three years ago when she joined in her primary school’s netball gala day.

“I didn’t know what to do but then I got the hang of it. Ever since, I started to love it,” Jasmine, 12, of Llandilo, said.

She joined Corpus Christi Primary’s school team, in Cranebrook, and Corpus Christi Netball Club to round out her early years, and is now a Year 7 student at Xavier College in Llandilo, where she joined the junior netball team last term.

Junior Sports Star nominee Jasmine Vella.

Reaching a new height in the game, Jasmine — now a member of Emu Plains Netball Club and Penrith District Netball Association — is a representative player who mixes up positions, alternating between goal defence and goal keeper.

She said her main achievements were making the State Age squad, which came third in the pool of 20 teams at the State Age Championships this month, and being named as a co-captain.

“My coaches told me it was because I give feedback on the court,” she said.

Jasmine Vella helps team mates on the court.

“I tell them ... ‘watch your passes, stick with your players’, just those little things.”

Jasmine is the Penrith Press’ latest nominee for the Junior Sports Star award, sponsored by Rebel. Nominate a young sporting talent now online by visiting juniorsportsstar.com.au.