Six Gunnedah reps selected for 2016 NIAS Academy

Six Gunnedah members earned their place in next year’s squad, up from four in 2015, after successful selection trials on Sunday.

Carla Douglas, Grace Jaeger and Eliza Perkins are returning members from 2015 with Bella Gallagher and Isabelle Shortis joining for the first time in the 30-player squad. The sixth member is Chloe Perkins who joins for her first year but is the third member of the Perkins family to be part of the NIAS squads.

Participants were put through skills and match play drills last weekend as selectors, like Maria Hoad from Netball NSW, watched on, impressed by the standard.

 Gunnedah Netball Association (GNA) secretary Jackie Small congratulated all 10 Gunnedah members who stood for selection.

“Hopefully the girls who were unsuccessful still learnt new skills during the selection process,” Small said. 

“The association is very proud that once again GNA has a large representation.

“This is a reflection on the dedication of our coaches, players and parents.”

Coaching staff Kirstie Fuller and Maryanne Perkins were excited about what they saw.

They highlighted how NIAS is receiving a much wider representation across the region with 61 players registered for last weekend’s trials. 

For Gunnedah to feature in 20 per cent of the final selection was a “huge achievement” and demonstrated the players had prepared themselves well.

For those who were not selected, it was a great learning experience. 

Not only were they coached on the day, they also received individual feedback on strengths and weaknesses in their game. 

A few players who were unsuccessful last year, returned to the trials on Sunday and made selection this time.

The NIAS squad members will have minimal time to reflect on their achievement as academy training starts on November 22 in Glen Innes.

Training continues at least once a month leading into the Academy Games in April which will be held in Terrigal and the NIB games in July which are held in Maitland.

The 2015 NIAS squad members recently attended the NSW 17-and-under phase 1 selections where more than 300 players were present. 

Netball NSW announced a squad of about 100 to attend phase II this Sunday at Netball Central at Sydney Olympic Park with Gunnedah’s Carla Douglas named in the Phase II squad.  

Carla is the second GNA member to make it to phase II.

“She should be very proud of her achievements regardless of what may happen this weekend,” a proud GNA president Therese Jones said.