BATHURST Netball Association might not have any carnivals in their short-term sights but their recently-named representative teams will be keen to get started on their training so they're prepared for whatever comes their way.
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The BNA announced their junior representative sides for under 11s through to under 17s online on Monday, following two weekends of trials.
The under 12s side will be coached by Melissa Noonan, ready to work again after her Collegians side claimed a third straight BNA A grade crown.
It's been some time since Noonan has coached a team so young but she's looking forward to a different challenge with a very talented group of juniors.
"The last Bathurst team I coached was in 2018 when we won senior state titles with the under 17s," she said.
"I wanted to go back to a grassroots team. Under 12s are still developing and have lots to learn. They're like play-doh that you can mould and shape to make them become great netballers.
"I haven't coached under 12s for about five years now so I hope I can adapt and not put too much pressure on them. This age group is the first one where the girls go away to state titles, so I'd like to think that if you're trying out for a rep team in under 11s you're starting to think a bit more seriously and being that little bit more competitive."
The under 12s team features Caitlin Bray, Sybilla Chapman, Kaitlyn Collins, Lucy Dorman, Lara Francis, Isebel Grout, Evie Hawkins, Kate McLean, Lucy Weekes, Mia Willott and Jessica Rumball.
Noonan's first look at those players was at the recent trials and from her limited exposure to them she was impressed by the skills that were on show.
"I don't know anyone in the team, which makes it interesting," she said.
"I believe most of them, with the exception of a couple of them, played in these teams last year so they've had the experience possibly of knowing what rep training is like.
"They're a very impressive group of girls. We had selections on the first and the eighth [of November] and there were some awesome players in there. I'm really looking forward to coaching them.
"I saw some great stuff with what they were doing. There were a couple of things I've already noticed where we can tweak and improve their game and get them moving a bit better, such as keeping the feet still and moving passes along a bit better.
"I'm lucky because I know the helpers who were putting the girls on and off the court all day were saying that they were the loveliest group of girls to work with."
As things stand, the Netball NSW Junior State Titles are scheduled for June 26 to 28 next year, dependent of course on how the coronavirus situation pans out.
Divisions one and two will play at Penrith while three and four play at Baulkham Hills.
Bathurst's junior representative field consists of under 11s, 11s development, 12s, 13s development, 13s, 14s, 15s and 17s.