MALIYAH Osbaldiston loves her two sports: netball and little athletics.
Maliyah, 10, of Kingsgrove, is a member of the St George District Netball Association development squad.
The 164-centimetre athlete plays with St Ursula's-Fatima club 13A age team in the association.
A year 5 student at Kingsgrove Public School, she concedes two years in age and experience in club competition.
Maliyah is excited about the new season which starts this Saturday, March 7, at the West Botany Street, Rockdale, courts.
But she cannot play because she will be competing in the state multi-titles on March 7 and 8 at Sydney Olympic Park.
At the state multi-titles, she is in the 200 metres, 800 metres, 60 metres hurdles, shot-put, long jump, and discus events.
"But I am back playing netball on Saturday, March 14," she said.
Then Maliyah competes at the state track and field titles on March 21-22 at Sydney Olympic Park.
"She came second in the state multi last year," proud mother Rebecca said.
Incredibly, it's only 12 months ago that she began competing in little athletics.
Her mother is her coach for the throwing events.
"My mum is a very good coach," Maliyah said.
"I enjoy competing in athletics and playing netball, and I am able to combine both sports."
At the recent regional carnival she broke a long-standing record throwing the shot-put, making 11.01 metres to win the gold medal.
"Maliyah is the current Australian record holder for the nine-years age group for shot-put," said Rebecca.
"Her goal is to become the Australian 10 years age group record holder, and that distance is 37.22 metres."
St George District Netball Association life member Stuart Maurice said that Maliyah was a gifted athlete.
"She is one of the best netballers and athletes I have seen in junior sport," Maurice said.
Do you know a junior sportsperson who is top of their game in more than one sport?
