Dunn copes with her busy balancing act
Promising Netball South shooter Aliyah Dunn has several balls in the air as she juggles netball, basketball and her school studies.
The 17-year-old Verdon College student has been making waves in the Beko Netball League for the South combination, with some impressive shooting stats in 2017.
South started their 2017 title defence with two defeats, before Dunn in combination with Southern Steel goal attack Jamie Hume have helped them record back-toback wins over Waikato-Bay of Plenty and the Northern Comets.
Dunn shot 39 of 42 against Waikato-BOP and 33 of 38 against the Comets as the defending champions bounced back into finals contention.
The pair, who played together for the New Zealand under-21 team on a recent tour, have been forming a strong combination in the attacking circle.
‘‘It was really easy to work with her because I played with her for U21s as well, we went to Fiji so we know how each other plays,’’ Dunn said.
Dunn is enjoying her first year playing in the development league, which is a step up from Saturday Southland club netball.
The talented teenager has been splitting her time between goal attack and goal shoot in 2017 and admits to ‘‘learning heaps’’ this season under Netball South head coach Georgie Salter.
‘‘It is probably more physical out there and everything is faster,’’ she said.
The Year 13 student is busy balancing her netball, basketball and school work. South vs Central Tomorrow 11am Stadium Southland, Invercargill
She has gained plenty of experience when she travelled to Fiji for the NZ under-21 team, while she has been part of the NZ Junior Tall Ferns under-19 basketball team, which has toured Fiji and China.
‘‘I kind of just play both for now,’’ she said.
‘‘Getting to tour around China was pretty fun and then going to Fiji as well for the Oceanias. Everything was really fast.’’
She is also hoping that her performances will gain her selection in the NZ U21 squad for the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup in Gaborone in July.
While Dunn’s basketball commitments have buttoned off, she is still juggling her school studies and netball commitments.
Dunn regularly travels to Balclutha and Dunedin for trainings, while she has been playing netball throughout New Zealand in the national development league.
For the Southlander, it has been an interesting year.
The Invercargill student has also played training matches against the Southern Steel for Netball South, while she also practiced with the Australian Diamonds before they played the Silver Ferns in Invercargill in 2016.
She has also been rewarded for her excellent recent form when she sat on the Steel bench during their impressive win over the Mainland Tactix.
The Netball South team are looking to keep building consistency and confidence as they search for their third straight win after a slow start to the season.
South play unbeaten Central in round six at ILT Stadium Southland on Saturday.