NSW Swifts assistant coach Anita Keelan knew Sophie Fawns had talent she could work with when she spotted her playing at a carnival in Orange two years ago.
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And the 16-year-old got to play against and alongside some of Super Netball's biggest stars in a pre-season hitout against Greater Western Sydney at Goulburn on the weekend.
Fawns played goal attack alongside English international Helen Housby in the second quarter of the 58-56 loss, nailing six of seven shots in her first game in Swifts colours after recently starting training with the Swifts Academy.
Keelan also heads up the academy and said Fawns, who will continue to attend school in Wagga, has the talent and work ethic to take the next step.
"Absolutely, there's no doubt in my mind about that," she said.
"Putting that expectation on a kid is always tough, but if she continues to work hard and gets a bit lucky with opportunities opening up when she's ready to launch (she can do it).
"What we're seeing at the moment, I'm sure a lot of luck will go her way.
"I saw Sophie two years ago at the Regional Academy Games in Orange and I named her player of the tournament.
"She's a natural athlete, has good height and has a very accurate eye. She had a really lovely style of shot and just worked really hard.
"To be successful at any sport you need that work ethic and it didn't seem to matter how tough it was getting for the girls, Sophie kept giving it her best shot every game."
Keelan said Fawns showed no nerves in her debut for the defending Suncorp Super Netball premiers, playing alongside established stars like Housby, Paige Hadley and Sarah Klau.
"Sophie went out there and just played, it was so exciting," she said.
"She played on (Giants defender) Kristiana Manu'a who's been around a long time, and she didn't take a backward step.
"She's an absolute delight to have in our environment. We're trying to get the netball into her we need to and still allow her to do well at school, which is a challenge with her living in Wagga."
"The Swifts girls have really taken to her and we hope we can support her the best way we can to make sure she stays a Swift.
"In the Swifts Academy we're really keen to do whatever we can to bring on the regional talent. It's really important."
Fawns will continue to play for Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes on Saturday, and play Sydney Premier League when her schedule permits on Wednesday nights.
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