On December 20, 2019, the Goulburn and District Netball Association announced the names of four of its members who are involved in the 2020 South East Sports Academy Squad.
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Becky Ford and Chloe Regterschot are the two GDNA players named in the 24-strong squad, while Simone Blay is one of the two assistant coaches and Tanya Baker is the umpire coach.
The standard of netball in the association has been growing for several years now, Blay said, and she hopes that this year's selections have a knock-on effect.
"The level of netball at a representative level has been building over a few years [for the GDNA]," Blay said.
"With the players' ability growing, they grow their confidence to trial for the SESA squad. That in turns inspires other players to go 'okay, we can make the squad'."
While a spot in the squad will prove beneficial for the players selected, Blay said it will have an impact on the GDNA as a whole.
"The important thing I think having coaches, players, an umpires at this level, what we learn and are exposed to there, we bring back locally," she said.
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"We're exposed to a very structured statewide academy program at SESA, and what we learn there, we bring back locally.
"That grows our players and coaches and officials here."
Blay is confident that both Ford and Regterschot have what it takes to make the most of their time with the SESA squad.
"Chloe, she was in the squad last year, so this is a return for her," Blay said. "She thrived in that academy environment last year and dedicated herself to it 100 per cent.
"I saw her at the courts doing her home program, and that hard work earned her the award for most improved player in the squad last year. I was expecting that she would trial again strongly and make the squad.
"Becky was our other player and she was unlucky to miss out on the squad last year. She sustained an injury early in the trials and couldn't make it ... she's a hard worker and will thrive in the environment.
"They absolutely deserve to be there and are as strong as the other players."
Training for the SESA squad will begin on January 18, when fitness testers will put the girls through their paces. From the results of those tests, each member of the squad will have a fitness program drawn up.
The players will then meet to train in rotating locations throughout the region roughly once every three weeks, with Goulburn scheduled to host on February 8.
There are two primary goals which members of the squad will work towards. The first is to be selected for the group of 17 to take part in SESA matches in Maitland in April.
The second, in which the whole squad will take part, is the academy challenge in September.
But, Blay said, the girls need to remember that their foremost focus should be on improving their own game.
"The ultimate goal of the squad is that they develop their skills as individual players and enhance what they've got to prepare themselves for state trials in the Under 17 state team," she said.
Blay hopes to see more Goulburn players and umpires develop the confidence to trial for SESA squads in future years.
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