AT just 17, Lola McInerney considers herself “lucky” to have the opportunity to be a part a legendary team in Wentworth’s A Grade.
The young defender has always demonstrated a talent and love for the sport, having played in Sunraysia representative teams since she was 13, and claiming both league and club best-and-fairest awards.
But after this season being elevated into the Roos’ A Grade side – who have not lost a game for the past four seasons – McInerney was well aware of the rareness of the chance she has had.
“Being younger, it’s a really unique opportunity for me that not many people would get,” she said.
“Being around these kind of experienced players, I think I can just gain so much knowledge from them which can really help me develop.”
Working closely with Natalie Vercher, Courtney Wakefield and Christie Becker, as well as playing-coach Amanda Edwards, McInerney said she had learnt a lot this season, not only on the court.
“Even off the court, I think all of their values is something that I want to instil in myself and take on as qualities of my own,” she said.
“They are just really great role models for me and I can look up to them always.”
McInerney will be playing in two grand finals on Saturday, also running out for her 17 & Under Division 1 team, in which she sees herself as a bit of a leader.
“Being in the 17 & Under team, a lot of our team are bottom age, so being one of the couple of players that are top age, it’s really great getting to lead those girls and be that someone that they can come and ask for help,” she said.
“I really like being that role model for them.”
Her talent and passion for the sport led to selection in the Netball Victoria Talent Academy when she was eligible.
While she had the chance to pursue further opportunities from that, McInerney wanted to stay part of her home club.
“I did have the choice, I could have moved to boarding school because of netball, but then I realised that Wentworth is the club I want to be at and the atmosphere I want to be around,” she said.
“I’m not sure where netball is going to take me, but I’m just enjoying where I am at now with Wentworth.”
McInerney said this season would be something she would look back on as a special time in her life.
“Ricky Rowe says to me all the time that it is such a special team that I am a part of, and I may not realise it now, but it is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime thing that is happening,” she said.
“It will always come again, we will go up and down, but we are at the high right now, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.”
