After years of playing netball together in Ballina backyards, on local courts and through representative pathways, sisters Makenzie Raudonikis and Zali Raudonikis achieved a special milestone at the 2026 Regional State Cup, representing North Coast together at the highest level they have shared to date.
The Ballina pair were selected in the North Coast squad for the annual tournament at Netball Central, where they lined up side-by-side in defence against some of regional New South Wales' best talent.
Having both started playing netball at the age of five, the sisters have progressed through the Ballina pathway together and have spent years developing not only their own games, but also a unique understanding of one another on court.
"It's cool. We've played some netball together before, but not at this level, so it'll be really exciting to see how we go under a bit of pressure together," Makenzie said.
The opportunity marked the latest chapter in a journey that began long before representative netball.
"We always spent time in the backyard playing together and I was always too short when she was shooting, so I always had to try to get the rebounds," Zali said.
"I think she definitely pushed me."
While the opening day of competition proved challenging for North Coast, the team continued to build throughout the weekend, finding its rhythm and producing stronger performances as the tournament progressed.
North Coast ultimately finished fifth, with the experience providing valuable lessons for the squad against quality opposition from across regional NSW.
For Makenzie, Regional State Cup was also an opportunity to proudly represent the community that helped shape her netball journey.
"It provides a really good opportunity for regional girls to play at a high level of netball and I think it's also pretty cool to represent Ballina as well," she said.
The sisters credited their local netball community for laying the foundations for their representative careers.
"We've been part of Ballina since we were five, so they've given us all the opportunities," Makenzie said.
"They've really paved the way for us and given us the opportunity to be part of regional programs and represent Ballina in different competitions."
Both defenders showed great gratitude for the chance to share the experience together, creating memories while competing alongside teammates from across the North Coast region.
"The competition's always so much fun. It's always a good vibe at Netball Central," Makenzie said.
"We're looking forward to seeing familiar faces and sharing the experience together."
Reflecting on the weekend, Zali said the future was bright for Ballina netball and the next generation of players coming through the pathway.
For the Raudonikis sisters, Regional State Cup was more than just a tournament; it was a chance to represent their region, their community and each other on one of regional netball's biggest stages.
