THE cancellation of the national netball championships hasn't stopped Wagga's Sophie Fawns from stamping herself as one of the country's most promising players after earning selection in Netball Australia's under-17 Centre of Excellence squad.
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The 16-year-old goal-attack will attend a camp in December, capping off a year which has included participation in the NSW Swifts Academy, a NSW Premier League debut season with South Coast Blaze and a trip to Queensland to help the Swifts prepare for their Super Netball campaign.
Then there's the small matter of trying to help guide Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes to a second straight grand final win against Wagga Tigers at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
Goannas coach Marie Hope says she has noticed Fawns improving different aspects of her game every time she returns from training or playing against more experienced and stronger players.
"It's great she's at the forefront of the selectors' minds even though there wasn't a national championships this year," Hope said.
"When she comes back from those camps, more often than not she plays on another level. She has the athleticism and skills, the package is pretty good to watch."
While she is one of the country's most gifted young shooters, Hope said her defensive work has the potential to help her stand out from the crowd.
"One of the standout things is how many turnovers she can get, that's just something that's inherent in her," he said.
"That's something she's always had, and her skills will only get more refined getting exposed to those levels."