WHEN 12-year-old Jaxon Burton heard his name read out as the first on the list of those who had gained selection in the Polding netball team, he was simply delighted to get another chance to play a sport he enjoys.
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But the moment was special for more than just being about another talent getting the chance to compete at a state championships.
Burton is believed to be the first boy to earning selection in a Polding netball side.
"As far as I know he's our first netball boy," Steve Maguire, Bathurst's Diocesan sports representative, said.
"I was excited because you don't expect it. When he made it into the Bathurst side I was really excited for him and then I got there for when they were doing the possibles-probables and he was outstanding.
"He's just a very good netballer, very good sportsman and he's been rewarded which is great.
"The Polding area is like half the state in a sense, it's from Lismore, Armidale, Broken Bay, Maitland, Newcastle, Wilcannia-Forbes and us."
Before Friday's trials, Burton had taken part in a Holy Family trial then a Bathurst Diocesan selection day.
While he had previously attended a New South Wales Primary Schools Spots Association (PSSA) championships for running, Burton was not overly confident he'd make this Polding team.
He'd previously played netball in 2019 and was selected in the Bathurst Netball Association's under 11 development team, but in 2020 due to COVID-19 didn't participate in the sport.
"I got into it because Will [older brother] played. I like netball just because it's fun," he said.
He and his Bathurst Diocesan team-mates played a series of five, 20-minute games and from there possibles and probables sides were picked for one more contest before the Polding team was named.
Burton, who's favourite position is goal attack, got the nod to play in that last game.
"I was with the [Bathurst] Diocesan team that was selected for the whole day playing all different teams. I only knew one girl, I've seen her at Polding basketball before, and she made it as well as I," he said.
"We only had one training session the day before.
"They played me as the opposite of my position, centre, WA, WD everything else, goal shooter. I only got to play in my position in two games out of the five.
"But in possibles and probables I knew no-one I played with. It wasn't hard, not really, because they are all co-ordinated and they know the game."
Burton admitted he felt like he didn't do enough in the possibles-probables, but when the Polding team was revealed his was the first name announced.
"I was surprised because it was such a good team and I didn't get the ball much, but I didn't come off," he said.
"It does feel pretty good to get selected. All my friends who tried out in other sports, none of them got picked."
While Burton's effort was a first, he was not the only Bathurst Diocesan student to earn Polding selection.
Six students got picked in the open rugby league side and four for the under 11s, while Burton was one of two netballers who got the nod. The NSW PSSA netball championships will be held at Menai from July 19-21.
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