By Sophie Taylor
Hard work and determination are handy attributes to have, and Tasmania's 19 and under co-captain Ellie Marshall brings both of those in spades.
Currently balancing her netball aspirations with study at the University of Tasmania, Marshall returns to the National Netball Championships for a third time in 2024.
With her, she brings plenty of experience to the Tasmanian group, after stints at both the underage National Netball Championships over 2022/23 and open-age Australian Netball Championships in 2023.
The burgeoning midcourter explained the main difference between the two levels was her role and experience on court.
“I like to be a sponge, and I absorbed everything at the ANC level, whereas at NNC, I was one of the players that played most of the quarters,” Marshall said.
“Learning from older players and playing that higher level helps me to adapt to different levels and play at a higher intensity against people my age.
“it’s learning off your teammates in different ways.”
Marshall is excited to compete in her third National Championships.In her top-age year within the pathway, Marshall has been named Tasmania co-captain alongside close friend Ava Lockwood.
“I think we balance each other out well,” Marshall said.
“I'm probably not the loudest person, but I like to lead by my actions on court.”
Marshall’s NNC experience led her to back-to-back talent identification and underage Australian pathways squads – first the 17/U national squad in 2022, before backing it up with 19/U in 2023.
The high performance training camps focus on more than just on-court excellence, but also developing good habits away from the court with focuses on nutrition and strength.
“I've learned so much from the coaches and the players around me,” Marshall said.
“I just love playing at that higher level and focusing on the off-court stuff as well, like visualisation, meditation and nutrition.
Experience is an attribute that Marshall brings in spades.“I was a bit nervous last year when I went away to the 19s camp by myself, but I'm glad that I did because it made me meet different people from other states which I think improved my netball as well.”
Marshall says the player she looks up to most is former New Zealand centurion Laura Langman.
“Laura Langman was always someone that I really looked up to,” Marshall said.
“Her work ethic – she was a strong defensive mid but also such a strong attacking mid. Her work rate really shines and sticks out to me.”
“I go into every game trying to give it my all and I really rely on myself to always give it 100%.”
Watch all National Netball Championships matches live and on demand on KommunityTV.
