The Greater Bank-sponsored Hunter Academy of Sport Netball squad was among more than 300 of the state’s best young athletes that descended on Wagga Wagga on 8 April for the 2022 Your Local Club Academy Games.
Now in its fourth year, the Academy Games is a great opportunity for young athletes to develop their skills and experience under the guidance and mentorship of more experienced athletes and coaches.
Hunter Academy of Sport CEO, Brett O’Farrell said that the focus of the three-day event was not on team results, but rather talent identification and assessing the development of individual athletes.
“The squads have been training together since February so it’s a great opportunity to see how their skills and fitness have developed in game scenarios,” Brett said.
“It was also a chance for the athletes to showcase their skills in front of the many Netball NSW coaching and recruitment personnel who were in attendance to shortlist athletes for state selection later in the year.
“That being said, both our Division 1 and 2 netball teams had a great weekend, turning in some really good performances throughout the competition.
“Mia Marshall and Acacia Elers were standouts being named the MVP for Division 1 and for Division 2 teams respectively."
Brett O'Farrell, Hunter Academy of Sport CEO
“It was also an important weekend for our Hunter Academy netball umpire athletes who officiated across the weekend as part of their development, with Bethany Knight and Mackenzie Winn awarded their National C Badge, and Ellie Taylor her National B Badge.”
Greater Bank also supported the squad through a number of initiatives to help get them to the Games and beat the boredom of the long bus trip to the Riverina capital of Wagga Wagga.
A budget challenge aimed to improve the athletes’ finance skills and increase understanding of what it takes off the court to be a professional athlete. Each member was asked to prepare a full budget of all the expenses associated with the Games, plus any income they could contribute to offset the expenses. Three winners from each squad received a $100 Rebel voucher.
As well as having their bus emblazoned with team branding, there was activities to help them get to know their new teammates, coaches and supporting staff better, including a netball trivia quiz and a game of ‘Ask Me Anything’.
The squads also received a pep talk from Sam Poolman in the lead up to the weekend on what it takes to perform at the highest level. From all reports the sessions were extremely valuable and very well received by the athletes.