SOUTH West netball trio, Saskia Gould (Hamilton Kangaroos Imogen Thomas (Cavendish) and Misha Wear (Penshurst) were recently rewarded with selection into the 2024 Netball Victoria Talent Academy for the Western Region.

The opportunity will see the girls train under some of the best coaches in the state throughout next year and get the opportunity to compete in the inter academy tournament.

The development pathway is designed to improve the skills of the state’s future stars, focussing on technical and tactical development, athlete wellbeing and physical preparation.

Hamilton Kangaroos’ Saskia Gould said it felt “surreal” to be involved in the academy and the news came as a big surprise.

“I was pretty shocked when I heard I made it in, we had a pretty intense training session two weeks ago, just to be selected to trial was a privilege for me,” she told The Spectator.

Gould said she was looking forward to the specialised training sessions and hoped to become more tactical and responsive on the court.

“I hope to become a better player physically and mentally,” she said.

Gould played both junior and senior netball for the Kangaroos this season predominantly playing in goal attack and dominating in the role.

Her 2023 season stats were very impressive with 776 goals for the season – 601 goals (Division 3) and 175 goals (15-and-under) – including 39 goals in her senior team’s premiership victory.

“It was my first season playing in the senior netball, playing goal attack all season which I really enjoyed, I was really lucky to have played with experienced players around me that had all the time for me on and off the court,” she said.

Thomas is another local who was selected into the academy following a strong season on the court with Cavendish.

The 15-year-old also capped off her 2023 season with some silverware at the South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) presentation night, winning the Netball Athlete of the Year.

“(I hope) to learn more from the coaches in the academy, with techniques, skills and game plays … (and) try and make it to the state Under-17 team,” Thomas said.

“I was stoked when I found out that I was selected as apart of academy and to be one of a few from around the district.”

Senior experience has helped Thomas fast-track her development in a range of positions on the court, having spent some time playing in wing defence for the A grade side.

While her height and versatility allows her to make an impact at both ends of the court, she is a defensively-minded player. 

“I’m a defender at Cavendish, normally goal defence is my preferred position, but I play goal keeper and have played in attack too,” she said.

Wear, also gained selection into the academy and the Bombers’ rising star is excited to get to work.

“It feels really rewarding after all the hard work put into it … I was really happy when I found out,” she said.

“I was also really surprised, as I was not expecting to get in.”

The 14-year-old had a stellar season for the Penshurst 15-and-under side, finishing runner-up in the club’s vote count for the second time.

On top of this, she represented the Glenelg Region at the 15-and-under 2023 state titles and had a taste of senior netball playing a B grade game for Penshurst this season.

She has commonly played centre and goal defence at Penshurst and is a reliable, composed player who reads the play well and helps generate great ball movement for her side.

Wear identified a couple of aspects in her game that she was looking to advance throughout the eight training sessions next year.

“I really want to improve on my defending inside the ring and be explosive towards the ball … and gain lots of experience,” she said.