Young prodigies will sign on just to train, without a promise of court-time - to learn off some of the best netballers in the state and develop their game.
Kyabram's Jazmin Clark has bucked the trend – she got on the court.
Clark lined up for the Geelong Cougars in the 19-and-under competition, taking the court for two-and-a-half quarters and netting 11 goals out of 13.
“I was excited but I was a bit nervous when the coach told me I was going on,” she said.
“I was expecting to sit there for the whole game.”
The side went down in a four-point loss, but Clark said she thought she held her own.
Being handed a debut has reflected her improvement during the year, with the 16-year-old saying she feels "stronger, faster and fitter".
The debut comes off the back of being awarded Athlete of the Year at the Bendigo Academy of Sport for 2019-20 - an award which she was only given last month after coronavirus restrictions put the ceremony on hold for 12 months.
The Kyabram product - who plays for Mooroopna locally - has also lined up in the Goulburn Valley interleague side for the past few seasons.
The side this year won the Shepparton tournament a few weeks ago, and fell one short of the final hurdle in Echuca.
The Netball Victoria Championships - just over the border in Albury - is a few weeks away, assuming it can go ahead given COVID-19 restrictions.
Training for the interleague side was cancelled this week due to lockdown, and restrictions may keep them indoors for longer.
However, Clark is hoping she can get back on the court as soon as possible - not just for interleague but to continue her run at the big time.
She's always dreamt of lining up for the Melbourne Vixens, and while there's a long, long way to go, a VNL debut is a significant tick along the way.
Kyabram records coldest May morning on record
Melbourne COVID-19 outbreak grows to 54 active cases, as nine new infections reported
Three Kyabram groups receive council sponsorship grants
32°C