Right: Justin Collins, Jacob Moore and Joel Manning made the 11-man under-17 Victorian side for next year’s national men’s netball championships.By Marc McGowan
THREE local men are bucking the trend of the traditionally female-dominated sport.
Narre Warren’s Jacob Moore and Justin Collins and Narre Warren North’s Joel Manning have been selected to represent the under-17 Victorian team in the men’s national netball championships at Boroondara Sports Complex, North Balwyn, in March.
It is a great achievement by the trio, who have had little experience in the game.
They battled their way through three try-outs to earn the honour, and 16-year-old Moore, who is a goal attack, admits he is now approaching his training much more seriously.
“I’m starting to get into the fitness stuff and we train every Sunday,” the year 10 St Francis Xavier College student said.
“I just need to go out and shoot as much as I can to improve.”
The youngster has played Australian Rules football with the Narre North Foxes for eight years and also has a basketball background.
“I like all the running in netball,” Moore said. “I think I made the team because I’m pretty athletic and I’m more motivated than the other guys.”
Collins, 15, first encountered the sport two years ago, but became re-acquainted with it when a friend’s mixed netball side required a fill-in last year.
“I played in the under 13s for a year, but I couldn’t play any more and stopped for ages,” the centre/wing attack said.
“It’s a really fast game, it keeps you fit, and it’s fun.”
Collins, too, has grown up around sport, having previously played for the Narre North Foxes, but he had to sit out this year’s football season because of a shoulder reconstruction.
The year nine Beaconhills College student also shot hoops competitively for three seasons at Dandenong Basketball Stadium and runs middle and long-distance events for Casey Little Athletics Club.
“I will be nervous and proud to represent Victoria, but hopefully we can get out there and win,” Collins said.
