FAITH Saunders didn't think she'd done enough to gain a berth in the NSW under 14 indigenous girl's netball side after she contested trials held at Homebush last Sunday.
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"I didn't think I'd gone hard enough,'' the 12-year-old said.
Faith figured the fact that she was one of the youngest players trying out could also go against her.
So it came as a shock when Faith was contacted by selectors the following day to say she'd been named in the Echidnas squad to play in the Australian championships to be held on the Gold Coast in January.
Faith is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana. CJs Netball Club nominated her for the award.
It was only by chance that Faith even heard the trials for the State side were being held.
"Mum saw something on Facebook and said I should go down and have a go,'' she explained.
"I'm pleased I did now.''
Faith started playing netball when she was seven, usually in the goal defence or goal keeper positions.
This year she represented Taree at the State Age championship, with the side finishing runner up in division three of the under 13s to earn a promotion to division two in 2016.
Netball's just one of the sports where Faith shows promise. She also played for Taree Tornadoes in this year's Northern NSW Junior Basketball League. Faith played in the under 14s, the side that finished in fourth place.
Faith's happy to mix basketball and netball.
"I'm in good teams and I have good coaches in both,'' she said.
Faith's a member of the Taree under 13 touch football team that will play in the State Junior Cup in Port Macquarie next Saturday while she's also dabbled in rugby union.
"It keeps me busy,'' she smiled.