By Callum Ludwig
Two young netballers from the Upper Yarra have been competing with some of the best in the country at the Indoor Netball Australia (INA) Nationals.
Ollie Stenhouse and Zoe Timoney have gone up to Underwood in Queensland to represent Victoria, having started their careers in the local leagues.
Zoe said that at first, she didn’t even believe she had been selected.
“Competing against so many talented athletes, to be a standout and be chosen, is just shocking but amazing,” she said.
“I just love that I have come from a small club in a little community and now I’m representing my state, versing some of the best players in the country.”
Both Zoe and Ollie started their netball careers playing in the Upper Yarra Netball Association (UYNA) competition in Yarra Junction, playing for Launching Place.
Ollie said he didn’t think he’d made the team because Zoe got her email first on the Wednesday.
“My mum surprised me on Saturday at our netball game. I was very overwhelmed and excited to represent our state as I have never competed in a tournament this high before,” he said.
“It’s been a very tough competition and I have the bruises to prove it. I feel like I have learnt some things from my coach this year and I hope I make the team again next year.”
The pair each have gone to join the Powelltown Football Netball Club’s Under 17s team as representative sides; Ollie has played in the state titles team for Casey Region and now made it into the Under 16’s mixed state team for indoor netball and the development team for Victorian Men’s and Mixed Netball Association (VMMNA) 17s side while Zoe has played for UYNA Representative teams and also represented St. Patrick’s Netball Club in the Lilydale and Yarra Valley Netball Association.
The INA National Titles are held over the course of a week, six-a-side earlier in the week and seven-a-side later.
“In 6s we made the semi-final however we lost by 4 goals while 7’s we have won a few games and will make the semi-finals, I have enjoyed playing,” Ollie said.
“While I’m here I am trialling for the Australian side so fingers crossed but I just want to be a role model for any boys that want to play netball, I would say just take the risk and put yourself out there.”
Zoe said her side have won against Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and have come close to one of the Queensland teams and are yet to to play some other teams. “Most of our games have come super close and we have managed to push through and win,” she said.
“I feel like I have done pretty well playing in a high-intensity environment especially in the 37-degree heat.”
