IVY Jane Richardson's stellar 2021 campaign can be attributed to one thing: enjoying netball with her mates.
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The South Rovers junior was declared the Warrnambool and District league's premier 13 and under netballer on Thursday night, notching a mammoth 35 votes to hold off second-placed Reese McIntyre (25).
She said a close bond between players was the foundation for her success.
"I think we just all enjoyed playing together and that's what it made it fun," she said.
"I didn't really expect it. I was happy with how I played.
"It was just really fun to play with everyone."
Richardson said Larissa Walther and Nadine Porter coached her side and were "really great".
McIntyre said she was unsure pre-season if she'd even make Russells Creek's squad but flourished under the guidance of coaching.
"She helped me keep getting better and better," she said.
"I used to play goal defence but they put me in goal attack so I definitely got better at that, attacking.
"I think I got better at connecting with other people because I used to be really, really shy."
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