Current Year 12 Students Harriet Gall, Jack Whitlock and Matt Whitlock have competed in representative sporting teams for Australia during 2024.
Having shown a keen interest in netball since primary school and played in the Shepparton Swans A-Grade side for the past two years, it’s no surprise that Harriet Gall has been selected to be part of the 2024 Under 19s Australian Netball squad.
She recently participated in the National Netball Championships as part of the Victorian team and from this the Australian Netball Team selectors chose her to interchangeably play Centre and Wing Attack positions for this year’s 25-person Under 19s squad.
In July, Harriet will travel to the Australian Institute of Sport for a training camp.
“I’m really excited to go to Canberra and mix with the other girls. I’m so happy for this opportunity and can’t wait to see where it takes me,” she says.
“My favourite thing about playing netball is surrounding myself with people who are just as driven and passionate about the game as I am – it challenges me to give my best every time I step onto the court.”
Twins Matt and Jack Whitlock are also looking at a possible future sporting career, with the brothers occupying two of only 30 positions in the AFL Under 18s side.
This team showcases the best young AFL talent from across the country for recruiters to select from and draft players to the AFL.
“Having Jack by my side means I’ve always got a support person next to me whenever I need it and he’s right there for some friendly 1-on-1 competition in the backyard too,” Matt says.
“I fell in love with footy from the first time I played. My family are very passionate Hawthorn supporters and AFL has always been a big part of my life. It’s sometimes difficult juggling both playing footy and being in Year 12, but if you manage your time wisely you can make it all work.”
Jointly playing football for the Murray Bushrangers and Shepparton Bears, as well as competing in the annual ICCES competitions, preparations for their potential AFL careers have been well underway for many years.
“The Murray Bushrangers coach has a motto of “leave better”, which I try to live by and integrate into my mentality during training sessions and on game day,” Jack says.
“I really enjoy the competitiveness of playing footy, as well as being part of a tight-knit team and making new friends along the way. It really would be a dream come true to be drafted to the AFL, but you don’t know what’s going to happen until they call your name, so for now it’s all unknown.”