Shepparton netball prodigy Mackenzie O’Dwyer has taken the next step in her development.
The talented teenager has been named co-captain of the under-17 Victorian netball side for the upcoming national championships in Frankston from April 9-14.
After making the switch from her local side Barooga to Shepparton a couple of years back, O’Dwyer has continually impressed her coaches, making her senior A-grade debut as a 14-year-old in 2022.
Now, the young star turns her attention to the national championships, where Victoria will play at least seven matches, with the first against ACT on Tuesday.
Shepparton coach Stacey Thompson said she was impressed with the person that O’Dwyer had become on and off the court.
“ ‘Macca’ (O’Dwyer) is a really dynamic midcourter who is very athletic and can play really well down the court and she has been playing a bit of wing defence, which is exciting to see,” Thompson said.
“As a person she is a really genuinely friendly person, that gets around all the girls and enjoys being a part of the club and is a really happy, bubbly person that you love to have around the club.
“Macca is still eligible to play in our 17-and-under team, but she has transitioned into A-grade this year.
“She leads by example and has a really positive outlook on everything and is the one that will turn a game and take that intercept to lift the team in the big moments, while she is also the one cheering and supporting her teammates when things aren’t going so well.”
O’Dwyer will miss Shepparton’s first two games due to load management while she competes at the championships.
Once nationals are done and dusted, the emerging star will return to play for the Bears in Goulburn Valley League and the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under side in Victorian Netball League.
As O’Dwyer rises through the ranks of competitive netball, Thompson believes that the sky is the limit for her young gun prodigy.
“The choice is now hers as to how far she goes and I know she absolutely lives and breathes netball, so she will be putting her best foot forward to make sure she reaches her full potential,” she said.
“Considering that she went last year as a replacement bottom-age player and spent a lot of time on court during the nationals last year, I’m getting super excited to see what she can achieve this year in a co-captain role as a top-age player in a really dynamic team.”