Local netballers achieving the dream

Left to right, Monica Falkner, Kelly Jury and Samantha Sinclair. Photo / Judy Macdonald.

Isn't it every five-year-old girl who puts on a netball bib's dream to make the Silver Ferns?

For three players from the New World Rototuna Suburbs Premier team, they are all just a trial away from achieving this dream.

Monica Falkner , Kelly Jury and Samantha Sinclair have all been named in the Silver Ferns and NZA trials on August 15-16 along with other Trust Waikato Hamilton City Netball Centre indoor premier player Ellen Halpenny who has taken the court this season for First Credit Union Verdettes Marist and who is a regular on court for Cold Power Magic.

Other Cold Power Magic players named in the trial but not playing in the local competition include Leana de Bruin, Jamie-lee Price and Grace Rasmussen.

This is an outstanding achievement for these players and the clubs and Centre.

Falkner and Jury have already been named in the NZ U21 team for the 20/U International Tournament in Canberra, Australia from August 11-14.

Jury, along with Sinclair, is part of the Cold Power Magic team which played in the ANZ semifinal on Monday night against the NSW Swifts. Falkner was part of the WBOP Beko Netball League run from April to June with 21 games played over 12 weekends.

The three Suburbs Premier players have been playing together for the past two years, playing last season for the Suburbs Phoenix Premier team. Jury is the most recent recruit with the other two having played the past three years together. Falkner is the shooter, Jury the defender and Sinclair the mid court player.

On meeting the players in person they seem well grounded, mature and quietly humble. There was, however, a simmering excitement and anticipation in the air and it was contagious.

"It was a proud moment and it has been a pleasure to coach these three hard working young ladies in the club environment, including working hard and performing at all levels to be rewarded with a great opportunity like this," Coach Rebecca Greenhalgh of New World Rototuna Suburbs Premier said.

"Sinclair has stepped up every year with more and more court time for Cold Power Magic and yet she still slots back into the club environment with ease.

"Jury has made great progress recovering from a ruptured achilles last season and she improves every time she takes the court. Falkner is a young and upcoming talent with incredible physical prowess and the shooting percentage to back this up. I'm excited to see them foot it with the best in the country and they have nothing to lose".

The teams will be named on August 17.