Barooga’s Mackenzie O’Dwyer has been selected in the Team Vic 15 Years and Under Netball Team by School Sports Victoria.
O’Dwyer, who previously played for the 12-and-under side, is the only representative from regional Victoria in the team and went through a challenging selection process to make the cut.
“I was not expecting it, it’s very exciting,” O’Dwyer said.
“It is pretty special, I think being in the country it is also special.
“The metro kids do get in those teams a lot more than what country kids do so it kinda does mean more for me, this year especially.
“It’s a lot harder when you’re in the country so getting that opportunity to be a part of something that big it does mean a lot.”
Four rounds of trials were held to decide who made the final side, with the squad pencilled in to compete at the Canberra Netball Centre from July 24 to July 29.
“Playing in Canberra is a very exciting experience because obviously you’re going to play all the other states and get a bit more of an experience with a lot of other girls,” she said.
“You always come away from the tournament with a few new mates so that’s always a bonus, and having a week of playing netball is a lot of fun.”
O’Dwyer thanked her parents for helping her achieve this goal, with the duo driving her around and doing ‘everything’ for her.
Currently playing for the Shepparton Bears’ under-17 side, she said she had aspirations to one day play in the Victorian Netball League.
“I’ve always liked playing netball, since I was a little kid, so it’s always kind of been a picture in my mind,” she said.
“As I get a bit older I do want to head more into the city and play in the bigger comps like the VNL so as I get a bit older I do want to progress a bit more and hopefully have a good outcome.”
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