School Sport Victoria (SSV) held three trials to whittle its list down to 22 players, but Webster said she had only heard of the trials when there was one remaining.
Thinking it would be ‘‘a cool experience’’ to attend, and not overly concerned about making the squad, Webster went along, and in what is a clear sign of her skills, impressed enough in that one trial to be named in the squad.
‘‘After I left the trial, I really wanted to do it,’’ Webster said.
‘‘And I thought maybe I was a chance.’’
The 16-year-old said she was excited to find out she had made the squad and was set to attend her first training session in Melbourne today, with a further three trainings planned for August 7, 14 and 21 ahead of a final team announcement on August 28.
‘‘I’m really looking forward to training to show what I can do,’’ she said.
‘‘I had limited time to prove myself, and now I’ve got four training sessions.’’
After starting her playing career as a six-year-old, the defender has lined up for the Benalla Rovers, as well as the Golden Valley Suns.
And after featuring in representative teams as a youngster at state and national level, Webster now finds herself playing at club level for Shepp South.
It is where, she said, she mentally fell back in love with the game.
‘‘I’ve really learnt more about my own game there,’’ she said.
With her fellow teammates heralding from city schools, the Benalla P-12 student will be the only country school girl to feature in the training squad.
But travelling to the city each week for training does not faze Webster at all.
‘‘It’s a bit of a hike,’’ she said.
‘‘But I’ve got to commit to what I want.’’
