Gallery | Australian Diamonds host community clinic during ‘important’ visit to Shepparton

Weston was joined by her Melbourne Vixens and Diamonds teammate Kate Moloney for the morning skills session at Shepparton Netball Association.

More than 100 students participated in skills-based activities run by the Aussie duo, followed by a Q&A where the teenagers asked about their favourite places to play and what pre-match music the pair rocked before a game.

Both players were mobbed for photos and signatures on a day that the students involved will cherish for years to come.

It was hard to find a young, or old, face without a smile as everybody lapped up the appearance of two recent Netball World Cup winners.

Weston, who grew up in north-east regional Victoria, spoke after the clinic about why she felt it was important for the world-class duo to attend Shepparton.

“I think it’s just about getting out into regional communities. Coming from a regional area myself, I understand how important it is,” Weston said.

“I had the luxury of best of both worlds, my dad’s family is from the country and my mum’s family is from Melbourne, so I probably have a small understanding of the challenges that kids from country areas face.

“It’s been really special, I haven’t been to Shepparton for quite some time ... I guess it’s an opportunity (for the students) to learn from some of our Australian netball stars. I feel like it’s an opportunity to test themselves ... and also most importantly having fun and getting out on the netball courts.

“I’m hoping that by Kate and myself coming to an area like Shepparton it will start a legacy of other elite athletes wanting to come down.”

Shepparton, and the Goulburn Valley, has long been a successful breeding ground for exceptional netball talents, volunteers and administrators.

Elite sport names such as Kate Palmer, Julie Richardson and Tracey Brereton, to local SNA favourites Val Barrass and Val Sutherland.

Weston pointed out that a few teenagers who displayed some promise look to have bright careers in the sport.

“I’ve seen some amazing talent out there; some really tall girls and some really agile boys as well and I’m hoping a lot of them are looking to pursue netball in the future,” the Diamonds defender said.

“Netball is probably the ultimate team sport.

“You really have to be able to work collectively to score or to be able to defend and I think that fosters really healthy habits in terms of being able to push yourself, being able to communicate and being able to work as a team.

“(It is) such a great team activity and a great way to make friends.”

The duo’s appearance in Shepparton was brought to life thanks to a partnership between Netball Australia and Visit Victoria.

The governing body is aiming to deliver annual activities to help increase diversity and inclusion in netball for women and girls, First Nations people, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, and at-risk young people.

Visit Victoria donated goal post pads, balls, bibs and cones used in the session.

“It’s terrific to see our Origin Australian Diamonds taking the time to engage with young people in regional areas,” Netball Victoria’s general manager of netball development Angela Banbury said.

“We have a passionate netball community in northern Victoria and these kinds of activities bring our sport to new audiences to help grow a real love for the game.

“Netball is a sport for all; we’re proud to work with Netball Australia and Visit Victoria to support opportunities like this one across the state.”