A LONG line of star players have emerged from Pakenham Netball Club and this week’s nomination for the 2009 Young Rising Netball Star, 16-year-old Olivia Hunt is another shining example of the Lions’ system.
Olivia started playing netball as an eight-year-old and has represented Beaconhills College, the Pakenham Lions Netball Club and a mixed netball team at YMCA Cardinia LiFE.
Now the co-captain of the Pakenham 17-and-under side, her list of achievements in the sport is impressive for someone so young.
Olivia has played with the Eastern Zone Academy in 2008 (captain) and 2009, the Gippsland Independent School Team in 2008, Gippsland Storm in 2007-2008 and the MPNFL Sharks 15-and-under representative netball team in 2008.
Olivia has also won several personal awards.
She was runner-up best-and-fairest with Gippsland Storm, joint MPNFL best and fairest in 17-and – unders, Pakenham Lions 17-and-under best and fairest and the Julie Ann Ramsdale award winner – all in 2008.
Pakenham 17-and-under coach Danielle West said that Olivia’s natural leadership set her apart from the rest.
“Olivia is a player, not only blessed with the natural skills and ability to play netball at a very high level, but also has the drive, determination and willingness to keep learning,” she said.