GWS Giant Kristina Brice proud of Mt Druitt roots

Kristina Brice could have easily given up on her netball dreams at an early age but the goal shooter credits her success to her Mt Druitt upbringing.

SGWS Giant is looking forward to the first finals match this weekend. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

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Kristina Brice could have easily given up on her netball dreams at an early age.

The 22-year-old will play for the Giants against Collingwood in this weekend’s Super Netball semi-final, but many thought she wouldn’t get this far.

The Hassall Grove junior, who still lives in the suburb, had to do it the hard way.

“People would say if you stay in Mt Druitt you won’t get anywhere and I thought ‘I’ll remember that because that’s where I come from’,” she said.

Kristina Brice is proud of her Mt Druitt roots. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Being told you wouldn’t make it as professional netballer because of where you live would be a crushing blow to most, but Brice said it was a big motivator.

“Mt Druitt is where I got my start,” she said.

“Now that I look back on it, it got me where I am today.”

Brice started her career as a defender, but is now a 196cm shooter despite a shaky transition to the other end of the court.

“The first time I shot I think I scored about two goals from 20 attempts but they told me they’d teach me how to shoot,” she said.

Kristina Brice spent a year with the Adelaide Thunderbirds before being signed by the Giants. Pic: Keryn Stevens

“I just practised more. My shooting technique was self-taught.”

This weekend Brice’s Giants can book a preliminary final spot with a win against Collingwood.

The two teams have played twice this season for a win each.

Brice said her side had not lost confidence despite a patchy month leading up to the finals.

“It’s been a big year. We’ve had a few losses in the past couple of weeks but we’re kind of glad that happened then and not a few weeks down the track,” she said.

“It’s going to be a tough game. We need to get our combinations into the game much earlier this week.

“They’ve got really good closing speed in their defensive end so we need to make sure we’re coming on to the ball very strongly.”

The game at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre starts at 7pm on Saturday.