Amy Hume
Two rising Macedon Ranges netball stars have been selected for the Under 12 School Sport Victorian netball team.
Riddells Creek’s Tilly Allen and Romsey’s Grace Miles will represent the state in the national championship at NSW in September.
Both girls gave impressive performances during the rigorous trial process to make selection. They are two of 12 team members selected from more than 400 students.
Many past School Sport Victoria team members have gone on to compete at national and international competitions including the Olympic Games, World Championships and Commonwealth Games. But it all starts with honing their skills at their own local clubs.
Salesian College student Tilly plays for the Gisborne Rookies and grew up playing for Riddells Creek Football Netball Club.
She recently competed in the Central West Association Championships for the RDFNL Under 13 interleague team and also plays for Strathmore Netball Club – training and playing in Melbourne a couple of times a week.
Parents Eliza and Michael were elated with her selection and proud of her efforts.
“Tilly has worked very hard over the past 12 months,” Eliza said.
“She has dedicated her time travelling to and from Melbourne, gym sessions and extra home ball work, and goal shooting sessions, which definitely resulted in massive improvement in her game.”
Braemar College student Grace plays for the Romsey Redbacks in the RDFNL and Rosanna Jets in the Banyule and District Netball League, both U13. She was presented the Redbacks coach’s award last season.
Cheering Grace on are parents Leigh and Alison, and sister Emily, 15, who made the SSV U12 state team in 2019.
“Grace’s attitude towards training is ‘you should train how you play’. She gives 110 per cent every time she plays. I feel she is very fair to other players and respectful of the umpires, which we are very proud of,” Leigh said.
“The experience of the national tournament is absolutely amazing with every one of the 14 games being in a grand final atmosphere and we all can’t wait to go through it again.”
The national championships will be held at Berkley, NSW, in September.
