Sport
12 June, 2023
Maryborough young guns Millie Cassidy and Ella Patten to represent Bendigo in netball state finals
Maryborough’s netball department will be represented on the state stage this weekend, with 17 and under players Millie Cassidy and Ella Patten set to represent the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) 17 and under interleague squad in this...
Maryborough’s netball department will be represented on the state stage this weekend, with 17 and under players Millie Cassidy and Ella Patten set to represent the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) 17 and under interleague squad in this Sunday’s Netball Victoria Association Championships.
Both Cassidy and Patten, who have played starring roles in Maryborough’s excellent start to the season in the 17 and under division, will play key parts in the championships, with Patten playing a crucial defensive role, while Cassidy has served the team well in midcourt.
The team, overall, has had an excellent start to their campaign, going through undefeated in the Echuca District Northern Association tournament, before clinching a spot in the finals in May thanks to another undefeated run in the state qualifiers.
The finals will be held at the State Netball Centre in Parkville.
Cassidy gave an insight into how both players earned selection in the team.
“We had two tryouts at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo. There were four or five selectors watching us, and we played six games or so. Then they selected 14 players, with 12 selected from the tournaments and two missing out,” she said.
Both Cassidy and Patten were grateful that they were able to lean on one another in the squad.
“I was very happy to hear that Ella was in so I wouldn’t be in by myself. All the Bendigo girls are very close, and we’re a bit further out. But it’s good to make friends and we have gelled as a team, which is really good,” Cassidy said.
Patten shared a similar sentiment.
“I’m proud of Millie and I that we both made it. We get to represent our club, as there’s two of us among everyone in the league, so it’s a great achievement,” she said.
“The Bendigo girls are already gelled, but they were really nice and open to us.”
Patten, as a defender, opened up on how she has elevated her level of play thanks to the tips and tricks she’s learned as part of the squad.
“The coaches have helped me develop my skills in defence, which has helped me get lots of intercepts which helps the team. I’ve got better at rebounds and boxing out my player,” she said.
It’s a similar story with Cassidy, who has helped drive the engine room for the BFNL rep squad in midcourt.
“I’m getting to work with different girls on the court and passing into really good shooters in good positions. The coaches have helped me and have given me lots of tips and tricks which will help me improve in netball,” she said.
Most of all, however, both Patten and Cassidy agree that their selection into the interleague squad has helped boost the reputation of the Magpies’ netball department as a legitimate pathway to higher honours.
The Magpies’ 17 and under team made it through to the second week of the BFNL finals last season, while they’ve continued on with their good form in the 2023 competition, recording five wins and a draw from their first eight games to sit in fourth position, just half a game outside of the double chance.
“I’m proud of Millie and I that we both made it. We get to represent our club, as there’s two of us among everyone in the league, so it’s a great achievement,” Patten said.
“It helped set up the team for this year. Some of the team went up to higher grades, but most of us have stayed around. We’ve used that momentum for the start of the season.”
Cassidy agreed with Patten’s sentiments.
“It always encourages more people to come play for our club, getting out of the district league and having a go at the Bendigo league, giving it a real shot and improving our skills,” she said.
“Making finals last season was a great opportunity. I’m grateful to represent our club in the interleague team and play alongside a lot of great players and have new coaches teach us new skills as well.”
Much of the team’s development into a BFNL force could perhaps be attributed to 17 and under coach Alicia Cassidy.
Millie reflected on the work Alicia — as both a coach and a mother — has done for her development.
“She’s a great coach, and she gives good advice. She can be brutally honest and tell you how it is. She doesn’t sugarcoat things and I feel like that really helps us improve. We’re able to implement that advice into our games,” she said.
Patten agreed with Millie’s assessment.
“She pushes every player to do their best each weekend, which is good. She is always uplifting the team and encouraging us for what’s ahead,” she said.
Both girls are excited about the prospect of what is to come this weekend.
“I’m excited about it, but also naturally a little nervous,” Patten said.
Cassidy’s excitement lies in being able to access the same courts as the Suncorp Super Netball’s Melbourne Vixens.
“It will be good to play on indoor courts, which we don’t normally do. We’ll also play on the same courts where the Melbourne Vixens practice, which is really cool,” she said.