The 16-year-old was selected in the 2021 Hunter Academy Metro League Netball team two for the 2021 Metro Cup.

This will be the highest form of representative netball Caitlin has played in her four years in the game.

Caitlin is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.

The Metro squads take in players from the Hunter catchment, which includes the Manning.

Caitlin was first selected in the academy's train-on summer squad in January.

"After six weeks of training three times a week in Newcastle, we had a trial and there were teams selected," Caitlin said.

Her role in the team will vary across mid-court. She can slot in at centre, wing defence and wing attack.

"I like the workload for centre and connecting the dots down the court," she said.

Her commitment to the team will involve lots of travel. Starting in April, Caitlin will head to Sydney on Monday nights and train in Newcastle on Thursday nights.

Caitlin has just started year 11 at St Clare's High School. She will get the sport and studies balance just right.

"So far I've found it okay," she said.

"With the trip down I'll have almost two hours there to do some study and catch up if I am missing out on a bit of school."

She isn't familiar with the other girls in the squad but has settled in well with the academy.

"Last year I made the Hunter Academy side and I knew a few girls there, they weren't from here but I'd met them before," Caitlin said.

"This year coming back was a bit easier but it was a bit hard at the start trying to figure out who everyone was."

The academy provides advice to players on strength and conditioning, nutrition and physiotherapy.

"They make you set your goals and write down schedules for the week so you know how much you're doing," Caitlin said.

Locally, Caitlin plays for Old Bar in the Manning Valley competition. She has also played for Manning Valley Netball Association representatives on multiple occasions.

She also dabbles in rugby league, rugby union and athletics. Caitlin plays wing or fullback across both codes. She's linked with Taree Panthers in the junior league competition. She was too young to play for the Manning River Ratz in the 2020 women's 10s competition but was registered with Port Pirates.

"But I didn't play," Caitlin said. She has considered playing for the Ratz this year but it will depend on her busy netball schedule.