Australian netball legend Anne Sargeant believes the St George district and Sutherland Shire are among the top breeding grounds for elite netballers in NSW.
Sargeant will bring her Anne Sargeant Netball Clinic to St George in July with a number of high profile coaches on hand to take young players through both skills and specialised on court work.
And the Sport Australia hall of fame legend and Australian Diamonds selector is a fan of the production line of talent produced in St George and the shire.
Sutherland’s Toni Anderson and St George representative Claire O’Brien were selected in a 24-player Australian under-20 squad last week to contest an international series against teams from New Zealand and England in Canberra in August with a view towards next year’s World Youth Cup in Africa.
Meanwhile St George duo Amy Parmenter and Laura Towell were also included in the Australian under-19 squad last week to take part in a four-day training camp in June.
With a number of local players also representing the area at international and ANZ Championship level, Sargeant told The Leader St George and Sutherland were extremely strong areas for netball.
“You’ve got the NSW state age championships coming up in July and that event is so difficult to succeed at,” she said.
“But those areas are always front runners and I think it’s a reflection on the strong work those associations are doing.
“They have a very good support base and good numbers and they have a rich tradition of success.
“It’s certainly a breeding ground [for top players]. And they have the potential to go further.
“Claire [O’Brien] will be one of the coaches at our St George clinic and she was with us at a recent event and she was delightful working with the kids.
“It’s wonderful for young players to be around a developing player who have that energy and vibrant sort of attitude.”
Sargeant, who captained Australia for six years in an international career that lasted for a decade, said she remained passionate for developing the next generation of young players.
“If a kid loves netball and wants to be there, I’m in,” she said.
“I love that. I’m in a luxurious position in that at one end I’m a national selector and working many hours scouring elite players and watching the best of the best.
“It’s such a privilege, seeing our best players up close.
“At the other end I’m running grassroots development programs for kids and getting to see young players learn and grow and develop.
“When I’m working as a Diamonds selector I love that the next day I might be out with kids who can only dream of being that one day.
“It reminds me that’s where those Diamonds girls all were at one point.”
Players can register for the Anne Sargeant Netball Clinic at St George netball courts on July 11 at annesargeant.com.au.
