Shepparton Swans young gun Harriet Gall is no stranger to the sporting limelight.
A talented multi-sport talent, Gall has already reached great heights as a cross-country runner and netballer and is quickly making a name for herself as one of the region’s most exciting young athletes.
So what is the next step on her budding sporting journey?
Well, after a gruelling trial process, Gall now finds herself in the final 25 for the Victorian 17-and-under netball squad.
One of two girls from the Goulburn Valley League to reach this stage, one more trial day stands between her and selection, with the squad set to be halved ahead of the national netball championships early next year.
The young gun said it was a thrill to have gotten so far in the trial process.
“It feels very good to have gotten this far,” Gall said.
“It’s been quite a long process and quite competitive against the best players in the state in my age group.
“Seeing that level of competition has been really good for me and I think I have competed quite well.”
For Gall, receiving state honours is not the be all and end all.
She said getting out on the court with her friends was the main motivation behind playing the game.
“It’s a good way to meet new people and just spend time with my friends really,” she said.
“The exercise component of it is also really cool and I love being active in that team environment.
“As a player I’d say I’m very strategic and quick with my ability to cover the court.”
Season 2022 was one of great growth for the 16-year-old, as she was able to make her Goulburn Valley League A-grade debut with Shepparton Swans.
“It’s certainly a different game against the adults in A-grade,” Gall said.
“The pace of the game is a lot faster and you are challenged a lot more, but I have really embraced and loved it.”
Carrying a lot of confidence from her exploits this season, Gall said she would be taking an easy-going approach into the final day of state trials next weekend.
“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself to be honest,” Gall said.
“I’ll just go out there and try my best, that’s all I can do, there is a bit of pressure, but if I just go out there with the mindset of having fun hopefully the result will take care of itself.”
But as for her hopes for the future, Gall said she just wanted to take each challenge as it comes and try and progress as far as possible in the sport.
“It would be a pretty good achievement (to make the team) and a reward for all the hard work I have put in,” she said.
“When it comes to my netball I just want to take things as they come and try and get to the highest level I can.
“Hopefully in the next few years I can make a VNL team and represent Victoria.”