The Spencer Netball Academy has been swamped with local talent, with many of the 60 places awarded to Pt Pirie players. Trials began Oct 2008 for squads of 20-25 girls in each grade under 13, 15 and 17 comprising of talented netballers from Pt Pirie, Pt Augusta, Whyalla and Roxby – a total of 23 Pt Pirie Netball Association players have been selected.

In the under 13 age group are Emily Noonan, Erini Seindanis, Sarah Horsnell, Kaycee Davies, Georgia Afford, Claudia Thomas and Hannah Joyce.

In the under 15’s are Hollie Peterson, Jordan Afford, Lily Whitting, Ashleigh Schrader, Kelsey Athanasos, Ashleigh Possingham, Chloe Knibbs, Gracen Dyer and Jordan Mezzino.

The under 17 Spencer Adademy squad has Pirie reps Katrina Frkic, Chelsea Caputo, Hollie Joyce, Keana Northcott, Tayla Stevens, Stephanie Anastasiou and Jessica Lauritsen

The academy’s players will have access to 10 coaches at monthly training

sessions with three of these coaches

representing Pt Pirie – Martin Faulkner Under 13’s Assist Coach, Liz Brown Under 15’s Coach, Mikell Afford Under 17’s Assist Coach. 2009 is the first year the Spencer Netball Academy has had an official head umpire with Pt Pirie’s Jodie Baldwin taking over the reigns.

Many juniors have continued to excel after leaving the academy such as Chloe Joyce who was again selected in the South Australian State under 17 team for 2009, and also has been awarded a South Australia Sports Institute Associate Netball Scholarship, which includes monthly trainings in Adelaide with high profile coaches.

Equally talented is Chloe’s sister, Hollie Joyce who has also been successful in selection for the State Secondary School girl’s netball squad. Congratulations to both.

The Spencer region was also fortunate enough to take part in an ANZ Adelaide Thunderbirds Netball Clinic in March at Port Augusta Netball Courts, coordinated by the Spencer Netball Academy.