IT’S only a short trip up the Calder Highway from Red Cliffs to Irymple but it’s made a world of difference for Alice Leeder.
The tenacious 17-year-old defender decided to leave the Tigers’ lair in the offseason and is already reaping the rewards with the Swallows, snaring the Mildura Golf Resort SFNL Netballer of the Week award for her display against South Mildura at the weekend.
“I just wanted a new start,” Leeder said before practice this week. “I had been at Red Cliffs for quite a long time – eight years or something like that.
“I like it here. I have some friends here and the girls are nice.
“I played A Grade last year at Red Cliffs and B Grade before that and while I was there, I don’t think we won many games, which was also a factor (in leaving). Last year was pretty tough, being my first in A Grade.
“I had to match up with (Wentworth’s star shooter) Amanda Edwards in my first game and that was really difficult but also a great experience.”
Now the teen is quickly finding her feet in a new environment.
“This team is brand new, only two of the girls in this team were in the last A Grade team,” she said. “I feel like as the season goes on, we will start meshing and clicking we could go far.
“I like the vibe of the netball over here and feel it is very supportive.”
Like most youngsters, Leeder has dabbled in many sports but found her true passion on the netball court.
“When I was growing up, I played nearly every sport … football, basketball, hockey, everything but I obviously liked netball the most because here I am,” she said.
“I’ve always been playing sport and even if I wasn’t winning, I tried the best that I could and strove to be the best on the court. Always trying to do my best, not just for me but for the team. You always want to be working for each other, not just yourself,” she said of her competitiveness and simple sporting philosophy.
Off the court, Leeder is busy in the classroom.
“I am doing Year 12 at Mildura Senior College,” she said. “I am doing health related subjects … English, Maths, PE, Health and Human Development and Psychology. I want to get into something sport or health related.”
But netball is also a priority.
“I feel like everyone’s goal when you play sport is to go as far as you can, but we’ll see what happens,” she said. “I’m pretty proud of playing an A Grade game here and being where I am at right now, but you can always be better.”
Leeder is the Mildura Golf Resort SFNL Netballer of the Week. She receives a $150 voucher from the Mildura Golf Resort.
