While the Origin Diamonds are representing Australia at the Netball World Cup, the Australian Fast5 Netball team are new Gold Medallists at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago.
Good Shepherd Lutheran College Year 12 student Jada Delaney was a crucial member of the team as they progressed undefeated through the tournament to come out winners.
Jada, who started in the Monday School Netball GSLC Junior B team in Year 7, was thrilled with the opportunity to represent her country.
“It is such a privilege and means so much to me. It is so great to build connections within the team, soak it all up and play against the other countries,” she said.
Good Shepherd netball coach and proud mom Jacqui Delaney explains “This is an exciting development opportunity for Jada to gain exposure to
international competition and experience a multi-sport environment, while creating memories and progressing as an athlete.”
This is the first time netball has been included in the Commonwealth Youth Games. The Fast 5 Format of the game has only 5 players on court (no Wing Attack or Wing Defence) and highlights 1, 2, and 3 point shots. This high action game is fast flowing, fast scoring with the points doubling in value in the last minute and a half.
The Australian team defeated England in the semi- finals to progress to the Gold Medal game against South Africa who they defeated early Friday morning by 10 points.
Mrs Delaney said, “Jada was the starting goalkeeper for Australia and the team was dominant throughout the tournament.”
“We look forward to Jada sharing her experiences with the up-and-coming youth in the current netball program at Good Shepherd.”