National selection
St Brigid’s College student and Horsham Saints netballer Maggie Caris has continued her impressive year in the sporting arena at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide.
Caris has qualified for an Australian 15 and under team after being a key player for Victoria at the games.
Caris and Edenhope netballer Lavinia Fox helped lead Team Vic to a state championship following an impressive run.
The girls remained undefeated throughout the tournament despite some challenging matches and close calls.
Victoria defeated Queensland 32-23 in the semi-final before triumphing over New South Wales by 10 goals, 38-28, in the decider.
Caris starred in goal shooter, while Fox is a dynamic midcourter who shone in centre and wing attack.
Caris, 14, will compete with the Australian team on the Gold Coast next year.
She said she was thrilled to make her first national team.
“It’s really exciting,” she said. “I loved playing in Adelaide with girls from all the other states.
“It was great to play against so many talented girls and we had an opportunity to get to know each other and make friends. We were so excited to make the grand final because we’d had a few tough games, so to win the championship was amazing.
“We had a great group, with a good mix of country and metro girls – I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
The Pacific School Games championship caps off a successful year for Caris, who was also part of Horsham Saints’ Wimmera Netball Association A Grade drought-breaking premiership team.
Caris was best-on-court in the onegoal triumph over Minyip-murtoa.
She went on to play a role in the Saints’ premiership in the inaugural Deakin University Female Football League.
“It’s been a great year and I’d love to thank Horsham Saints, my family and friends for all their support,” Caris said.
12 and under
Wimmera girls had an outstanding tournament, with Eloise Wills and Grace Manserra winning silver medals as part of the Victorian 12 and under team.
The 12 and unders had a strong start to the tournament, winning their first five matches before falling short of Queensland by two goals.
They won four of their remaining six matches to leave the tournament with runner-up honours.
Eloise acquitted herself well at both ends of the court in goal shooter and goal keeper, while Grace impressed in centre and wing defence.
Grace attends Ss Michael and John’s Primary School in Horsham, while Eloise attends St Brigid’s College. Fox attends Ballarat and Clarendon College.
State selection
Caris and Fox were among three Wimmera netballers to win state selection on Monday.
Caris has made the cut for the 17 and under tier-one team, with Fox in the tier-two team.
Edenhope’s Sacha Mcdonald has been named in the 19 and under team.
Mcdonald was previously vice-captain of the 17 and under side that competed in National Netball Championships.
The Victorian teams will compete in the 2018 national championships in Adelaide in April.
As part of the Talent Squad Tier Two program, Fox will benefit from technical, tactical and specialist coaching, an individual athlete performance plan and wellbeing and medical support.
The athletes will start training at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne on Sunday.