Fresh from the North West trials, Inverell Public School is bursting with rising young athletes, determined to make their mark in their chosen sports.
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This year the school has produced two north west rugby union players, an impressive touch football winger and a star cricketer in the north west girls team.
Cricketer Isabella Pomfrett is thrilled to qualify for the north west girls cricket team after a challenging day on the field. She braved hot and windy weather, and got up and bowled her heart out after slipping over.
“I bowled five wickets in the net,” she said. She’s made it to the north west level before, in long jump and discus, but is proud to go one step further with cricket.
“It’s better playing as a team because they work together,” she said. Isabella will compete in the state level at Maitland this November.
With a strong batting arm, Isabella is keen to work on becoming a more strategic bowler as she prepares for the next level.
Double act Charlie Grills and Toby Price took on a series of drills and games last Friday in their bid to join the north west rugby union team.
The pair have a broad range of sporting interests; with Toby competing at the north west level for soccer, swimming and rugby league this year, while Charlie has reached state level for swimming and rugby union in the past. Both agree union, with its nonstop pace, is their favourite.
Toby was confident with his catching and passing skills, while Charlie was pleased with his clean outs. Both enjoyed the challenge of the speedy sevens games.
After several training sessions in Tamworth, the duo will compete at the state level in Coffs Harbour in August.
“Last year we went alright, and this year I hope we do again,” Charlie said.
Neta Waqanivalu will also be working hard in regular Tamworth training sessions after being selected for the north west girls touch football team – including one session on her birthday.
Starting with a round robin competition, Neta stood out as one of the few players with expertise in the wing.
She impressed selectors in the possibles and probables games, and was one of 12 chosen for the final team, ahead of fellow Inverell Public School student Sophie Greentree.
Neta loves playing with a team, and is looking forward to taking on the tough state competition in Cronulla this August.
Although Sophie didn’t reach the state level, she is still proud to be the only Inverell Public girl to qualify in the Northern North West rugby union.
She also has a wide interest in sport, and has represented the Inverell Zone in touch, cricket and rugby union.
The school couldn’t be prouder of Sophie, Isabella, Neta, Charlie and Toby.