Sutherland Stingrays Open player Nicola Barge was recently named the Most Valuable Player at the 17U National Netball Championships in Darwin. She started playing Netball at aged seven and for the last ten years has amassed a significant list of achievements including NSW State Team selection, the 17U Australian Squad, making the QBE Swifts Academy, winning U23 Netball NSW Premier League and now in the 2023 Sutherland Stingrays Open Team.
After her return from Darwin, we asked her to give us some insight into her current game and her Netball journey until now.
How did you get into Netball?
They ran a netball skills program after school when I was in year 1 and 2 and I decided to join and loved it.
Where did you start playing?
Seymour Shore Miranda on the grass courts
Who is your Netball idol?
I don’t have an idol yet but I admire different qualities about different people, my two favourite players to watch would be Helen Housby and Gretel Bueta.
What position do you play? Is that the positions you started with?
I play GS/GA, I started as GA for club then played reps as a defender until I was 15. Then represented NSW as GS/GA and has stayed there since.
What is the best part about competing?
The adrenaline rush when you win a really hard game, and also during games when the crowd gets into the game and gets you pumped.
What is your favourite place to compete?
I got to play the stingrays grand final in KRA , I loved it as it’s super nice and it not too hot inside.
What are three reasons you like being part of a team sport?
I love being part of a team sport because of the support we have for each other. If someone is having a bad day there is always someone there to lift you up. I like how we all push each other to work harder and I get to train with some of my best friends. Being part of a team has allowed me to make so many friends for life.
What would you say is one aspect of your game that is a real strength for you?
My ability to stay composed and focused under pressure and my accuracy.
What are your interest outside of Netball?
I love going to the beach and spending time with my friends and family. I love watching Chicago fire and Greys anatomy after I’ve caught up on school work haha.
What other sports do you love outside of Netball?
I grew up doing little athletics and competed at nationals for the 800m, I also went and played baseball for a couple of years but had to chose netball as they started to clash. I love watching any NRL or AFL game.
You can watch Nicola every Wednesday night at Netball Central as she takes part in Netball NSW Premier League and we wish her every success as she continues to play the sport she loves.
