Gunnedah local Eliza Perkins’ debut in championship division at the Netball NSW State Championships could not have been any better if she’d written the script herself.
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Perkins was successful in her application to play with Penrith District Netball Association (PDNA) and thus given the opportunity to play in the top division in the under 17s division for the first time.
Last year, Perkins played for the division three-winning Glen Innes side.
The step up to division one was everything she’d dreamed of and more.
Every game was intense, high quality netball.
With weekly state development squad commitments in Sydney meaning Perkins is unable to train with a rep team on a regular basis, she was thankful to Tamworth Netball Association – where she plays in the women’s A grade comp on Saturdays – for releasing her to play with Penrith.
The Penrith team won 17 from 18 matches over the tough three-day tournament to finish second.
Their only loss, against the star-studded Manly side, was described as controversial.
The game was called off at half-time due to torrential rain and as Manly were up when the game was called off, they were given the winning points. Penrith were confident with the change of ends and umpires, they would have come away with the win.
Perkins had a lot of court time in her preferred position at GA over the three days, and even had a turn at GK when a player was blood-binned. She is extremely thankful to the PDNA for offering her this opportunity.
For now it’s back to study for the HSC, and heavily training for state trials and premier league trials in October and November this year. She has a couple of regional development squad sessions and also some training with Sam Poolman in the next few months to keep her on track.
