Homegrown talent shines
• Tessa Walters, Sharlie Hodgetts and Halle Walters at their first training last weekend. Photo by Letecia Hodgetts. Absent: Ebony Rainbow.
By Daisy Baker
August 26, 2020
A small group of skilled local netballers have been selected for the Elite Development Squad (EDS) as part of Netball Tasmania’s high-performance pathway program.
Ebony Rainbow, Sharlie Hodgetts, Halle and Tessa Walters will represent the region in the squad designed to help up and coming Tasmanian athletes to reach their full potential and play at the highest level possible.
North Eastern Netball Association (NENA) president Sarah Forsyth said their achievement reflects the talent of the North-East.
“To have Ebony selected in the EDS from intel gathered in 2019, and then 10 girls from a range of NENA Clubs participate in the identification trial held mid-August and have Tessa, Halle and Sharlie selected from that trial, is a fantastic reflection of the netball talent we have in the North-East in the 17/U and 15/U age groups and their coaches,” she said.
The program commenced in early August for Ebony, while Tessa, Halle and Sharlie had their first training session last weekend.
“This will be great experience for Ebony, Tessa, Halle and Sharlie, especially after NENA decided to abandon a regular netball roster in 2020 due to COVID-19,” Ms Forsyth said.
“The opportunity to train and learn from some of the best coaches in the State and train with other girls from other Associations will be invaluable to their netball development.
“They will represent our Association proudly and know that they will bring back new skills and experiences to share with the Association.”
The EDS program runs until the end of November 2020.