RISING netball star Montaya Hinton has taken a huge step toward her dream of one day playing for the Opals, having been selected for the Australian Budgies Indigenous junior netball team.
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The 11-year-old impressed selectors at the national trials in Queensland earlier this month, winning her way through to the national team, which will compete at the Gold Coast Netball Carnival in July.
The talented goal keeper and goal defence was chosen from more than 47 netballers from all over Australia for the 21 person squad.
Mum Simone Hinton said Montaya has been playing netball since the age of six and plays competitively with Wauchope Netball Club.
"She really loves her netball and has a lot of natural ability," she said.
"I'm really proud of her as it was a long week (during the trials) of early mornings and late afternoons.
"She was surprised to be selected because we had left early to travel home and had to look up the team later on the net."
As well as allowing national selectors to choose national teams, the recent trials saw state teams face off against each other.
In Montaya's age group - the under 12s - the overall competition was won by South Queensland, followed by a second NSW team.
Montaya's NSW team came third, which is a positive reflection of the calibre of players we breed in NSW.
The upcoming Gold Coast Netball Carnival is a youth sporting event held each July, providing an opportunity for national and international teams to test their skills.
The week-long event, which has a proud 14 year history, will see more than 60 teams compete.
There is no overall champion at the carnival, however, one deserving group will be presented with the coveted Spirit Award, which is decided by votes from all participants.
There is also a Barbarian Award appointed to one player from each team.
