Sport
3 December, 2024
'Hard work is paying off'; Gordon selected in talent academy, state titles
Kaniva Leeor United's Ruby Gordon to balance rep netball in 2025.
Netball
Kaniva Leeor United
Kaniva Leeor United's Ruby Gordon is set to have a busy 2025 season on the netball court.
The 15-year-old has been selected in Netball Victoria's northern talent academy and Wimmera Mallee's under-17 team for the state titles.
"I'm really excited that I have been selected for talent academy and state titles team, it's starting to feel like the hard work is paying off," Gordon said.
"It's still hard to believe that I've been selected but I'm really stoked."
used in either the defensive or attacking ring, Gordon is keen to continue her development.
"I'm looking forward to meeting new people and make new friends, and to learn some new things," she said.
"The skills that I know I'm going to learn from this is something I won't take for granted, it's not everyday that you get selected for something like this [so] I'm pretty excited."
Gordon would like to improve her physical preparation throughout this process, while she is "never scared of the challenge or my opponents."
This was on display during the 2024 as Gordon played 17 A Grade matches alongside her 15-and-under commitments.
"I loved playing A Grade this year. I'm always up for a challenge, playing against people that are much taller and have more experience than me, I think that's what I really enjoyed," she said.
Gordon also put her improvement down to her inclusion in the interleague team.
"I haven't had a bad coach yet, I can't wait to see the development I will have after training for talent academy."
Gordon is joined in the talent academy by Zarli Knight (Horsham Demons), Lena Marshman (Horsham Saints), Bridie Price (Ararat) and Ilze Van Zyl (Rupanyup).
Tess Thompson (Ararat), Brianna Luciani (Horsham Demons) and Tegan Ward (Horsham Saints) have been selected as umpires.
Wimmera Mallee teams named for state titles
The Wimmera Mallee netball region have announced its under-15 and 17 teams to compete at the state titles.
The two teams will compete against the other 18 regions of the state in Frankston over the March long weekend.
Squads include players from the WFNL, HDFNL and North Central Netball Association.
Under-15s: Milla Adams (Donald), Lana Angel (Birchip Watchem), Ruby Bethune (Horsham Saints), Phoebe Downer (Rupanyup), Evie Harrington, (Ararat), Luca Landrigan (Southern Mallee Thunder), Maya Przibilla (Laharum), Heidi Robinson (Harrow Balmoral), Eleanor Sladdin (Ararat), Olivia Taylor (Horsham Saints), Hailey Tippet (Horsham Saints), Malaya Wilmore (Horsham Demons).
Training partners: Stella Fratin (Ararat), Prue O'Sullivan (Sea Lake Nandaly), Lylah Slorach (Swifts).
Coaches: Sonia Webb and Claire Drum.
Under-17s: Zali Angel (Birchip Watchem), Maddison Bethune (Horsham Saints), Lauren Clyne (Warrack), Ruby Gordon (Kaniva Leeor United), Zarli Knight (Horsham Demons), Sienna Manserra (Horsham Demons), Lena Marshman (Horsham Saints), Jasmine McIntyre (Edenhope Apsley), Bridie Price (Ararat), Cara Tippet (Horsham Saints), Ruby Wilson (Minyip Murtoa), Ilze Van Zyl (Rupanyup).
Training partners: Gracie Humphreys (Nullawil), Airlie Garlick (Warrack), Chloe Reinheimer (Kalkee), Holly Whitehead (Edenhope Apsley).
Coaches: Kylie Walsh, Sophie Thomas.