NETBALLER EARNS ALL-STAR HONOUR
Meg among state’s best
Meg Vinson prides herself on being a leader on and off the court, and it has paid dividends.
The Downlands College student was among 10 chosen in the QISSN All Stars from 600 competitors after a string of solid performances during the state-wide tournament in Townsville earlier this month.
Vinson has had a stellar 2018, making the QPL state finals later this year with Toowoomba, earning selection for the Darling Downs Panthers U19s for the second-straight year and captaining Downlands to a Merci Chevalier Cup win over St Ursula’s College.
Despite the success she has enjoyed in the sport, a move up north next year is on the cards for the 17-year-old.
“It was my goal this year to make the All Stars team, to be netball captain and to win the MC Cup for the school,” Vinson said.
“We actually had to catch a flight early that morning, and we missed the presentations.
“I didn’t know until mum got a call from one of the ladies up north. I was over the moon.
“I do definitely want to continue playing netball, but I don’t see myself going further with netball next year.
“Next year I’m looking to go up north and work on a property and be a bit of a jillaroo.”
The Year 12 student has been a junior netball star since making a fortuitous move to Toowoomba, making an impact at various levels of the game.
“I started netball in Charters Towers,” she said.
“Mum was my coach all the way through until we moved here when I was in grade 10 and from then on I had access to all these different coaches.
“It’s amazing how much it changes you.
“Mum and dad had been up
‘‘ IT WAS MY GOAL THIS YEAR TO MAKE THE ALL STARS TEAM, TO BE NETBALL CAPTAIN AND TO WIN THE MC CUP FOR THE SCHOOL.
MEG VINSON
there for 20 years, and my brother John actually came to Downlands to board here for (Years) 11 and 12.
“I was in grade seven (at the time) and he just had to get out of the small town.
“I never thought I’d come here. Dad got a job, and we packed up and moved. It all happened in a couple of weeks.”
For now Vinson will focus on finishing her studies and testing herself on the big stage when Toowoomba’s QPL side heads to Caloundra in September.