The Gippsland Storm Elite Netball Club hosted tryouts to select its 2017 teams with a rare visit to the Latrobe Valley included in the process.
It was the first time in almost 20 years that tryouts were held in the Traralgon region, with trials usually held in Pakenham.
The decision to host a leg in Traralgon was to give local, talented players easier access to the club. More than 200 netballers from regional Gippsland packed the Traralgon Sports Stadium on Sunday, 23 November to showcase their talents.
Storm committee member Cameron Tingay from Churchill said that a local Storm facility would be ideal.
“The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages but the distance to travel to training and then to Waverley for the weekly game would be the biggest,” Tingay said.
“Perhaps a Traralgon base may have seen local Sale girl and (Melbourne) Vixens development player Lara Dunkley not have to move to Melbourne at such a young age to improve her career.”
Tingay’s daughter, McKenzie, is part of the Storm team, and he said he has been impressed with the professionalism of the club.
“From day one of the orientation camp to today she has been challenged and taught to be the best netballer, team member and sportswoman she could possibly be,” he said.
