Sarah Oliver
Montaya Sardi didn’t always play netball, but when her friends encouraged her to play in an inter-school sports tournament in grade six, she fell in love with the game.
Now, the fit mid-court player has the chance to represent Victoria in the 2022 National Netball Championships.
“I used to not like netball, I used to love basketball,” she said.
“So I tried it and then I just loved it from that first game and then I’ve just played netball ever since then.”
The 16-year-old from Hoppers Crossing is in year 11 at Maribyrnong Sports Academy which she started attending in year seven.
Her first club was with Phoenix Netball Club in Hoppers Crossing before heading over to Sanctuary Lakes in Altona.
She started out as a defender, but moving into the state program she was put in the mid-court during trials and now plays in wing defence and centre for state.
“I love centre. I love running,” she said.
Last year, she tried out for nationals but just missed out, making training partner for under-17s.
“So this year, trialling, all I wanted to do was make it because I was so devastated,” she said.
“I’m wrapped. I was so excited when I found out. But it was a long process.
“I started from zone academy, and then got asked to trial from the inter-academy tournament and then just went through four or five trials to get in and then I finally made it.”
Sardi said training is going well but that it’s full on.
“But our team is really close already. So it’s just a surreal training,” she said.
“It’s so different from other training I’ve done. It’s hard but then it’s worth it because you get to do the tournament in April.”
Sardi’s biggest strength is her fitness level which is vital in the centre position, while her goal is to improve on her footwork.
“I need to work on getting faster to get to the ball. And going for an intercept in wing defence and to bring my feet to the ball,” she said.
Fellow team player from Westside Emma Winfield will be joining Sardi on the court for nationals.
“I’ve always played with her until last year when she made VNL so she left, but now this year we’re in the same VNL team so we’re back playing together,” she said.
“We’re best mates off court as well.”
After finishing high school, Sardi said she wants to continue playing and turn her passion for netball into a career.
“I’d love to make it to high-level netball,” she said.
“I’m stoked I’ve made it to nationals.”
