Regal rulers of the courts

MITCHELL Farrugia, Leah Rennardson and Kimberley Mashado took out this month’s Cranbourne Life Be in it Centre prince and princess of the court awards.
Prince of the court Farrugia started playing basketball as a seven-year-old after a friend convinced him to join up.
The Dragons competitor plays representative basketball for Cranbourne Ice and idolises Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson.
“I just love it. It feels great when I play,” Farrugia said. “My coach, Jake, really made me want to try my hardest.”
Basketballer Rennardson and netballer Mashado are co-winners of princess of the court.
Rennardson enjoys the team camaraderie of basketball and aims to play the sport professionally.
She plays three times a week for the Merinda Park Vipers and supports the Melbourne Tigers.
Mashado, who looks up to Melbourne Vixens star Natasha Chokljat, began netball because of her older sister and now plays twice a week.“I love coming to netball and meeting up with my friends,” she said.
Steve Michalski and Sam Barkby won the basketball and netball refereeing awards.
Michalski, a B-grade referee, started officiating three years ago to earn money and improve his fitness.
He oversees three matches a week and prefers senior competition to juniors because the former is more physical.
Barkby, a C-grade badged umpire, enjoys learning more about the game and helping developing players.
She officiates four times a week and has also refereed at tournaments.