They may be the new team on the block, but the South Coast Blaze has one eye firmly set on the future.
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The next generation of players were put through their paces at recent trials for the Netball NSW Premier League franchise's Talent Identification Program.
The program - run with support from the Illawarra, Kiama and Shoalhaven netball associations - was open to netballers between the ages of 14 and 18.
Nearly 50 players have now been selected to represent the program's junior and senior squads. Participants will be coached by a group of elite netballers, including former Sydney Swifts Nat Behl (nee Sloane) and Kimberlee Gilmour.
Blaze chairwoman Katrina Franke said the initiative highlighted how much great talent there was on the South Coast and surrounding areas.
"The buzz on the day of trials was amazing," Franke said.
"The fact that we got such interest in our inaugural Talent Identification Program was so exciting. Initially, we were going to run one squad but due to the interest, we ended up spreading it into a junior and senior squad.
"The talent was far above what we expected and the selectors had a really difficult choice. But people who didn't make the squad this year have been encouraged to seek feedback and then come back next year. We'd love to see them again."
The Blaze was established about six months ago. The franchise will have two teams, open and under-23s, compete in this year's Netball NSW Premier League.
Franke said the Blaze was "something that is really exciting for the South Coast".
"Until now, players who wanted to pursue netball at an elite level had to go Sydney to live, or commute to and from Sydney," she said.
"I think the netball community has embraced us because there's now an opportunity that juniors can progress to an elite level but remain local."
Program's senior squad:
Daniella Avtarovski, Ashley Blake-Dyke, Shania Campbell-Cooper, Laura Carpenter, Kaeleh Cave, Ayla Clark, Larissa Clarke, Maddison Diener, Ella Dyball, Gabby Eaton, Becky Ford, Isabelle Goodwin, Isabella Halls, Emily Krstevski, Bella Lachlan, Eleni Lolesio, Eva Mackay, Halle McKnight, Molly Mills, Kayla Rays, Chloe Regterschot, Grace Smith, Holly Wilson and Tatum Yeo.
Junior squad:
Lauren Bancroft, Chelsea Blanch, Ada Burgess, Sophie Costin, Olivia Davis, Annalise Godwin, Kiralee Gray, Imogen Harrison, Dakota Hutchinson, Rheya Luke, Hayley and Emily Manning, Jordyn Martin, Lexi McEvoy, Kate and Amy McLaughlin, Aminah Muhammed, Jorja Pettit, Grace Schofield, Sienna Stokes, Phoebe Szymoniczek, Liana Taufaao, Jamaya Wayne, Claire Wilson and Isabella Woo.