Emma Keane's final year with the Illawarra Academy of Sport didn't exactly go to plan.
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With high hopes for regular on-court training sessions, off-court social activities and the Academy Games, the netballer was looking forward to an eventful 12 months.
A global pandemic quickly put a stop to those plans.
But that didn't stop Keane from continuing to improve her game and striving towards her long-term goal of playing Super Netball.
The 16-year-old has been rewarded for her dedication, named the IAS netballer of the year.
"It was quite disappointing," Keane said. "Being my last year in the Academy, we didn't get to have Academy Games, so that was a bummer. They supplied us with heaps of programs and webinars which was good.
"The Academy has helped me so much. When I first started I was just playing club and rep netball. They've developed me and helped me make higher squads."
Keane has achieved plenty in a challenging year.
The teenager was a training partner for the South Coast Blaze's Under 23 team and she was selected in the Netball NSW Emerging Talent Squad.
Those experiences motivated the shooter to pursue higher representative honours, with selection in the Under 17 NSW team her next goal.
"The Emerging Talent Squad was the best experience I've had in netball.
"They really encouraged us to develop our skills to continue progressing through the pathway and trialling for squads."