Maggie Taumaoe will make her debut for Victoria at the School Sport Australia Netball Championships in Canberra in August. 31279 Picture: Stewart ChambersBy Marc McGowan
NETBALLER Maggie Taumaoe is one step closer to her goal of representing the Melbourne Vixens after making the Victorian Secondary Schools’ Sports Association team.
The 15-year-old Cranbourne North resident will play for her state for the first time at the School Sport Australia Netball Championships in Canberra in August.
Taumaoe, a goalkeeper, has played the sport since she was seven years old and plays or trains six times a week.
And the Year 10 Lyndhurst Secondary College student can’t wait to take to the court for Victoria.
“I’m very excited. I’ve progressed my way through and I just want to achieve my goals,” she said.
“I’ve made it to (the Central East) academy as well and I want to keep learning more skills to improve my netball.”
Taumaoe, who also plays for Northvale and representative side Waverley City, survived a series of trials to book her spot in the squad and said it was a tough process.
“It was really competitive. The girls were so talented – it was hard for the coaches to pick who would make the final 12,” she said.
Taumaoe is Samoan, but was born in New Zealand before emigrating to Australia five years ago.
Her long-term goal is to suit up for the Vixens in the trans-Tasman ANZ Championship.
“I’d love to be the first full Islander to play with the Vixens,” she said.
“I still need to improve my techniques and get better skills.”
Taumaoe has worked hard for her success to date, but conceded none of it would have been possible without her parents, John and Faapusi.
“My parents drive me everywhere and all my family and friends have been a great support,” she said.
“My little brother (nine-year-old John) doesn’t get to play sport because my netball basically covers the whole week and he gets dragged along!”
