Wagga students Zara Hamilton and Jessica Wendt, both 14, will travel to Tasmania later this month to represent NSW at a national schools Australian rules championships.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hamilton, from The Riverina Anglican College, and Wendt, from Mater Dei Catholic College, won selection in the 15 years and under state side at the NSW Combined High School Championships recently.
"I was pretty excited because it was a goal of mine, but I didn't expect it," Hamilton said, whose Independent Schools team finished third.
Fellow midfielder, Wendt, played in the winning Catholic colleges team but was equally surprised to hear her name called.
"I was pretty shocked, I didn't expect to make the team," Wendt said.
Competing with girls who have the luxury of playing in regular competition, Wendt and Hamilton's selection, off the back of limited experience, points to a passion for the sport.
"I just love the game and being able to be a part of it," Hamilton said.
Wendt, a softballer, touch footballer, and netballer, enjoys the physicality of the game. She was part of Mater Dei's open team which won the School of Excellence Cup this week.
Since they started high school, both girls have been playing whenever they get an opportunity and are looking forward to playing full-length games for the first time when nationals begin on July 27.
The girls team will be coached by Wagga High's Heath Russell and will get together in Canberra next week for training and preparation ahead of the championships.
Mater Dei's Jamie Mooney and Angus Curry and Kooringal High's Luke Lawrence will also represent NSW in the boys championships.
READ MORE
