Local netballers Sienna Bourke and Emily Thompson continued their Bendigo Academy of Sport U15s training at the weekend.
Their goal is to impress selectors and gain an invitation to the Netball Victoria Under 16 talent academy.
Netball Victoria and Bendigo Academy scouts selected Thompson (Tocumwal Bloods) while she was playing at the 2019 Netball Victoria North Eastern Association Championships, as a member of the
Picola & District League U13 team.
Bourke (Finley Cats) was also recruited from her representation at the NVNEAC, while playing for the Murray Football Netball League U13s.
As part of the Netball Victoria Athlete Pathway, they trialled with 120 girls for selection in the Bendigo Academy in December 2019.
Training sessions were delayed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They started on October 11 and will continue every second Sunday until November 29.
As part of the program, players will undergo vigorous drills and fitness training and participate in Zoom seminars for nutrition, mental health and sport psychology.
‘‘It has been great to get back out on the court and training in a team environment again,’’ Thompson said.
‘‘The most challenging part of the program has been starting training without any recent court time. We help each other out though and give 100 per cent.’’
Each player has been issued a strength and conditioning program to complete at home.