THEY read play well, they are fast, they have got good ball handling skills and reflexes plus they are passionate about their sport.
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That might seem typical for a trio of young boys playing sport in Bathurst, but there is something unique about brothers Will and Jaxon Burton plus James Billington.
They are proud Bathurst Netball Association representatives.
Both Jaxon (Bathurst Blue) and James (Bathurst Yellow) are members of under 11 development teams, while Will was selected in the under 12s representative side which will head to the Netball NSW Junior State Titles in July.
Will is set to create a slice of Bathurst Netball Association history when he takes to the court at Baulkham Hills, as he will be the first junior male to represent the city at a state level.
"I am the first boy in Bathurst that has made it to that level, so that's pretty good," he said.
While Will and Jaxon's mother Zoe has a wealth of netball experience, it was their decision to try out the sport. Regulations allow boys to compete in mixed teams up to under 12s.
They signed up to play club netball for City Colts and soon developed a passion for the spot to rival their mothers'. Jaxon plays at centre while Will, who is also a representative basketballer, is happy to line up in any position.
"I really like netball because it's fun," Jaxon said. "I have seen a few other boys playing normal netball on the weekends, now I'm starting to see a lot more."
"It's kinda weird playing with all girls, but it doesn't really worry me," Will added.
James had two older sisters already involved in the sport and having witnessed the enjoyment they get from netball, wanted to try it for himself. He now plays for Sportsco.
"I was something I wanted to start off and try out," he said.
"I play goal attack, goal shooter and sometimes goal keeper - I prefer shooting."
Having enjoyed club netball, the trio decided to join around 50 other Bathurst juniors in trialling for a place in a district team.
"There was trials and there were heaps of other kids going in them, but we were the lucky kids," Will said with a big smile on his face.
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"We've gone alright, we haven't won a carnival yet but we've done our best and only lost two games."
"On the weekend just gone, my team won the carnival and I won a medal. That's the second carnival that we've won," Jaxon added, with his grin as broad as his brother's.
All three would love to see more boys get involved with Bathurst netball.
"I would encourage them to play so we can keep on playing," Will said.
For now the trio will continue to play their club netball each Saturday, with Will to head to the state titles with his under 12s team-mates from July 6-8.
