The next crop of Diamond Valley juniors are breaking into Vic Metro State teams in 2016. Gabby Newton of the Yarrambat Phantoms and Diamond Valley Eagles was announced yesterday as a member of the Vic Metro Women for the U16 Australian Junior Championships in 2016.

Recognition also goes to 2 other outstanding Diamond Valley U16 athletes who put forth a strong case for selection, Eltham North Jet Mikayla Peterson and Ivana Vasiljevic – who were selected as Emergencies for the Vic Metro Women also.

Held in Kilsyth from July 2-9, the Australian Junior Championships pit the best junior athletes from each State against one another, with a number of States fielding both a ‘Metro’ and ‘Country’ team.

Gabby, Mikayla and Ivana are all current members of our U16 1 Girls team. Gabby in particular, though recognized within the Basketball Victoria pathway through selection and involvement in the Basketball Victoria’s elite player pathways, Southern Cross Challenge and East Coast Challenge – this ‘overnight’ achievement is the result of hours upon hours of extra individual work that has been committed to by Gabby over the course of years.

Gabby can often be seen at stadiums throughout our Diamond Valley reach, getting shots up, working on her game with a coach, or ‘jumping in’ on small group skills sessions with members of our Big V State Championship Women’s players.

Every repetition, every session has been (and continues to be) a little bit of investment in her growth as a Basketballer – and is a path that was followed by the likes of Greg Page, Matt Jackson, Carly Turner and Alex Sharp in the years before her … and success leaves footprints to follow !

Diamond Valley’s Technical Director of Coaching, Alan McAughtry adds ‘This is another great results for our girls and their families, the Association and the coaches who have been a part of the path for Gabby, Mikayla and Ivana along the way.’

‘Our players all gave a great account of themselves and Gabby being selected is fantastic – as it has been a long journey of work, growing from disappointments and knowing there’s no replacement for hard work when it comes to making improvements.’

We at Diamond Valley congratulate Gabby on her selection, Mikayla and Ivana on selection as Emergencies and know they will make the most of this opportunity to represent the Navy Blue !