The rising stars acted as ball girls and ushers and gave out brochures at the historic match at Bendigo Stadium, but their experience didn’t end on the final whistle.

While her players warmed down, Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander gave the academy girls a private insight into netball at the highest level.

She was later joined by former Bendigonians Caitlin Thwaites and Rebecca Bulley, who spoke about their pathway from local level all the way to the national team.

Executive director Graham Gordon said the Bendigo academy was very privileged to have the Australian coach and two players address its netball program members.

“Lisa spoke about the actual game, her expectations of players, and the debrief afterwards,” he said.

“She said she gives very simple instructions not too different to what these girls get from their coaches. It was good for the kids to hear that the message they get on weekends is similar to what the Australian coach gives.

“These girls have goals of being the next Australian goaler or defender and when they step on court beside the players, they realise they are human (and very tall).

“It showed what they can achieve if they put their minds to it.”

This is the first year BBAS has offered a full netball program. It has 23 athletes aged under 15 from across central Victoria and is coached by Netball Victoria talent identification officer Melissa Ryan.

The girls attend monthly training sessions and are given off-court education in areas such as nutrition, public speaking and leading a balanced life.    

Thwaites is a former BBAS volleyballer and said she had fond memories of her time in the program.