PORT Fairy and Geelong Cougars netballer Ava Pierce can see more young netballers making the step into high leagues thanks to a rise in clinics in the region.
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The 15-year-old, who turns 16 on Wednesday, was on hand to assist her Cougars coach Mel Savage conduct a Netball Victoria Community Clinic at the Arc on Wednesday.
Pierce said she could "definitely" see more netballers from the region in similar teams to her after the clinic attracted 70 participants across two sessions.
"Down here we are a bit disadvantaged by the opportunities you get compared to the metro players," she said.
"But with higher coaches like Mel coming down it will definitely help us country girls to improve our netball skills."
Pierce, who moved to Warrnambool four years ago from Geelong, has experienced a number of similar clinics in her time closer to the city.
The Emmanuel College student said her netball improved dramatically thanks to these sorts of clinics.
"I went to these all the time and it helped with my skills and basically helped me play netball better," she said.
The mid-court player, who plays predominately in wing attack and centre, said she could see the players building confidence in front of her as Savage took them through a high-level program.
The day included warm-ups used by the Cougars before focusing on skills and fundamentals of netball. The session ended with the girls participating in match play.
Pierce plays in Savage's under 19s side in the Victorian Netball League.
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