The 11-year-old has been named in the Australian indigenous under 12s team – the Budgies – to play in tournaments on the Gold Coast in April and July and Adelaide in September. Amarley was selected following trials in Sydney, where she attended as a member of the NSW Echidnas.

She is also the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, winning a $50 open order at Iguana. Amarley was nominated by CJs Netball Club as a reward for her effort.

“I was hoping I made the team – I thought I played pretty good at the trials,’’ Amarley said.

She’s not sure what position she’ll play in the first tournament or what teams the Australians will be up against.

“All we know is there’ll be sides there from overseas,’’ she said.

Versatile, Amarley is capable of playing anywhere from centre, to goal keper, goal attack or goal defence. She favours centre or shooter, but isn’t fazed on where she’ll play for the Budgies.

Amarley understands the tournaments on the Gold Coast will be preparation for Adelaide, where a strong performance could lead to the Budgies touring overseas.

Amarley started playing netball three years ago in the Taree junior competition.

“Netball’s a thing in our family,’’ she explained.

“My mum plays and so do my aunties. I had a game a couple of years ago and liked it.’’

Amarley plays for CJs in the Taree and District competition – her side being undefeated premiers last year. Amarley also represented Taree in the State Age Championship.

However, Amarley’s equally at home on the basketball court, and in fact, says she prefers basketball to netball.

“Mum says there’s more opportunities in netball but basketball is my dream,’’ she said.

Amarley is the youngest member of the Taree Tornadoes under 14 representative team and will play in a Country Premier League (CPL) trial in Newcastle in a fortnight. She’s a point guard in basketball.

Amarley plays in the Taree schools basketball competition out of netball season. She also shows promise at touch football and is a member of the Taree under 12 side heading to the State Junior Cup in Port Macquarie from February 17 while she’s off to Nelson Bay this weekend for the Hunter Championships.

Amarley attends St Joseph’s Primary School where she has started year six. She was also a member of the school’s successful girl’s rugby league team last year.