Kennedy, Iddles to put best foot forward

Being selected to trial for the academy is a first for Kennedy, who last year got a taste of representative netball when she featured in the Murray Netball League under-13 side that made its all the way to Melbourne.

More recently, this year, the 14-year-old Cobram goal attack and her Strathmerton counterpart Iddles caught the attention of Netball Victoria scouts while competing in the Northeast Region Association Championships, the culmination of a five-week tournament which included games and training across the north-east.

Cobram Football Netball Club under-15 coach Sandra Kennedy was proud of her daughter’s achievement.

“It’s nice for her to go, ‘well, yes, what I’m doing is working as a player’,” Kennedy said.

“Ada works really hard at her netball. She listens and wants to learn and is always trying to put anything she learns into her game on game day.

“She works hard, so it’s really nice to see her being recognised for that.”

For young athletes like Kennedy and Iddles, a spot in the academy means access to esteemed coaches and the opportunity to learn from the best in the sport.

The academy, importantly, can also serve as a pathway to be selected into the Victorian under-17 side.

In all, 12 of Kennedy’s MNL representative counterparts will have the same opportunity to put their best foot forward at the November trials.

The Goulburn Valley League’s representative success at the recent Association Championships in Melbourne has resulted in 15 players being picked to trial for academy and state level honours.

Four Shepparton Netball Association stars will join them, while Tallygaroopna duo Lexie Pearce and Fenn Burgess have been plucked from the Kyabram District League talent pool.