Tougher the challenge the stronger the response – that is the inspiring life motto for Mackay’s outstanding netball prospect Shaylah Pershouse.
Netball is a way of life for dedicated Shaylah, who is one of the rising young stars at St Patrick’s College and the Mackay Netball Association.
Shaylah will represent the Capricornia region at this month’s Queensland Secondary Schools 13-15yrs Netball State Championships from April 27-30 at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena.
As a just reward for recent stand out performances, the athletic Shaylah has also been promoted to the St Patrick’s senior squad for the 2023 Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Carnival that will also be staged in Brisbane from June 25-30.
The State Secondary Schools tournament is the perfect lead-in event for this year’s QISSN Championships with Shaylah to be joined by St Patrick’s colleague and talented centre Tenille Cotter in the Capricornia 13-15yrs team.
To test herself against the best, young Shaylah will line up in three competitions in the Mackay Netball Association this season – Under 16A, Division One and Premier League.
“Playing against older and more experienced netballers brings out the best in my game,” revealed Shayla.
“I really enjoy the challenge as a goalkeeper to make life difficult for the shooters and to restrict their scoring by maintaining our defensive pressure,” she said.
Since stepping up into the senior ranks, the lanky Pershouse has made every post a winner.
“It can get feisty on court but I just focus on my role, listen and learn and simply soak up the experience,” Shaylah added.
Like all aspiring netballers in Queensland, an ambitious Shaylah dreams of one day playing for the Firebirds and Australian Diamonds.
The star goalkeeper will get a taste of the big time when she participates on the Wanderers Australia International Netball tour of England and France in early 2024.
Shaylah and good friends Tenille Cotter and goal defender Kacee Ziegeler will tour with an Australian side where they’ll play eight matches against top club, county and representative teams in the United Kingdom.
By Chris Karas
Rising 15-year-old goalkeeper Shaylah Pershouse shows her defensive capabilities for DAS in the Mackay Division 1 Netball competition
