Captains revealed: Which state team will bring home the medal from the netball nationals
Aspiring Diamonds and Super Netball stars will go head to head in the under/12 national school netball competition this week. We reveal the future stars of the game and each state’s captain.
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Dozens of aspiring Super Netball stars and Diamonds champions will take to the court for the under-12s national school netball competition this week.
Teams from ACT, Queensland, NSW, South Australia, Victoria and WA will face off in a round robin competition at Illawarra Sports Stadium culminating with a final day of competition on Friday.
We caught up with the captains from each team:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Captain Maisie is the second tallest member with a height of 174cm.
Over the training period Maisie showed her leadership qualities, her drive and enthusiasm for the team.
She travelled from Yanchep, about a 90 minute drive, twice weekly to attend training, showing her commitment to the team.
Maisie didn’t have the furthest to travel though with one team member making a five hour round trip to take part.
Maisie plays for Wanneroo club Paua Rose and prefers defence positions.
All team members have shown commitment to the team and respect for each other.
The team have formed a bond over their training period and are looking forward to an exciting and tough competition.
Each player knows their job and they are here to play hard, make new friendships and hopefully head back to WA with a medal.
ACT
Captain: Evelina Tuipeatau
Positions: GK, GD
Evelina began playing netball when she was in Year 2.
She plays for a Belconnen (North Canberra) Netball Club called Cougars in Cadets Div 2. She started Year 7 at Daramalan College this year and also plays for her school team in Intermediates Div 3 at the North Canberra Netball Competition.
Evelina started playing Rep Netball for Canberra Netball Association (CNA) when she was in Year 5 in U11 Div 1. This year she played U13 Div 1.
Vice-captain: Ella Higginbotham
Positions: C, GD
Ella began playing netball in 2015 when she was in Year 1. This year she is playing for her school, Daramalan College, and plays in Intermediates Div 3 in the North Canberra Netball Competition. Prior to this, Ella played for Good Shepherd Primary School as a junior.
Ella has just finished her second year of Rep Netball with Canberra Netball Association (CNA). She played U11 Div 1 last year, and was selected into the U12 Div 1 team this season.
VICTORIA
Captain: Ava Craske
Positions: C, WA
Ava Craske is the captain of the Victorian team.
Ava is a current student at Springside Primary (P-9 College), which is located in Caroline Springs.
She leads the Vic tribe with pride. She demonstrates hard work, dedication, unwavering courage, self control and accountability.
Ava started playing netball when she was seven and currently plays in two netball teams, Gisborne Rookies and Strathmore.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Captain: Chloe McArdle
Positions: GD/WD/GK
Year 7: Sacred Heart College – Champagnat
Club Team: Contax
Captain: Ruby Arcadiou
Positions: WD/C
Year 7: Sacred Heart College – Champagnat
Club Team: Matrics
The girls were name as co-captains of the team at the last training session.
Their coaches said they were so pleased with how all the players had performed at training. But both Ruby and Chloe consistently exhibited many of the qualities they looked for in a leader. Including high work ethic, leading by example, strong skills, willingness to learn, fun and engaging personalities.
“We know they will lead the team well at Nationals,” the coaches said.