A RISING star and the youngest player to consistently play A Grade in the SFNL last season, Ouyen United’s Maggie Smith’s potential is starting to show.
Although many would say being 186cm tall at the age of 14 is exceptional in itself, it’s Smith’s ability and feel for the game paired with her height that makes her a true anomaly.
At the start of the year, Smith was playing under 15s under coach and club stalwart Catherine Brown.
By the end of the season, she was playing alongside her as a fellow shooter.
“Earlier in fifteens, I was probably the main shooter,” Smith said.
“Then when I went into A grade, Cat really taught me how to move in and around the ring and work for each other.
“In A grade, everyone was really inviting, they helped me learn new strategies and gain more confidence in my netball.”
The goal shooter was a regular feature for the Kangas last season, who narrowly missed out on a grand final appearance after their 49-45 preliminary final loss to Mildura.
“I couldn’t believe how many people showed up for that game, there was so many people,” Smith said.
“I’d never played a game in front of so many people before.”
Smith won’t play at Ouyen United next season.
Her recent selection in the Netball Victoria Talent Academy is part of the reason why she decided to board at Clarendon College, a school in Ballarat.
Brown, who’d watched Smith come through the ranks at Blackburn Park, said she was happy to see her take her opportunities.
“Being in a small community, you always want the best for everybody, and that’s probably best for her at the moment,” Brown said.
“You know, our pathways are not the best in our area, so she needs to go to boarding school, obviously for her own education and if she wants to do really well in her sporting field.”
When asked what stood out most about Smith, Brown said her willingness to learn was above her years.
“She’s such a sponge … just a coachable player, if you say something, she’ll have a go at it,” she said.
“She doesn’t take anything as criticism, she’ll always take it as feedback.
“A good team player, too – she was our captain in the under 15s and a good little leader that always made sure everyone was included.”
