No division or area of the netball court is off limits for young North Geelong player Ryla Carr.
At just 16 years old, Carr manages to play up to three games of netball per week, taking on any position that is thrown her way from the defensive end to the goal circle.
Since joining North Geelong in 2024 after playing for Corio, Carr has made her mark on the club and appreciates the welcoming community at the Magpies.
“I didn’t know how long I’d be here for but it’s like a family,” Carr said.
“Everyone is so close. I’m the youngest in my B Grade team but no one treats me differently just because I’m younger.”
Carr mostly plays in the 17&U and B Grade teams at North Geelong but has played two A Grade games this season and fills in for the 19&U side often.
“I was the team manager for the 19&U team but then they asked me if I could play,” Carr said.
“I started off playing two games a week, but now it’s mainly three with 19’s as well.”
Whilst Carr admits that playing three games of netball in one day can be tiring, she loves the opportunities and growth that it provides her with.
“It is fun being able to play in different teams. Sometimes I’m playing with girls my age, and other times I’m playing with adults,” Carr explained.
“I learn a lot off of them and it’s really good to see how they play. They help me out heaps.”
Since her primary team at North Geelong is the 17&U line-up, Carr can test her netball skills in higher grades of netball, allowing her to fast track her development as a player.
“I think it’s improved my netball development because each team is a different type of netball and type of speed,” Carr shared.
“In the higher grades, it’s more smart netball, but in juniors it’s more about being fast. The seniors show me how to play smarter.”
Besides her broad experience in multiple grades of netball, Carr is also known as a highly versatile player due to her ability to play across all positions on the court.
Whilst she typically plays a defensive or midcourt role in her junior teams, Carr enjoys being able to branch out across the netball court and take on whichever position she can.
“I really enjoy getting to play on all aspects of the court. I prefer playing midcourt, but it’s good to see what each coach puts me in,” Carr said.
As a result of her determination and passion for netball, Carr has been selected to play in many representative teams, as well as winning multiple awards within the league.
Carr won the under 15’s best and fairest award at North Geelong before going on to be recognised as best on court at Interleague last year.
“It was a good feeling. I was definitely shocked when I got both awards,” Carr reflected.
“It was nice to know that all the effort you put into netball does pay off.”
This past weekend, Carr was selected to represent the Geelong Raiders at their 17 and under tournament in Ballarat.
The side went undefeated on the day, averaging a 12-goal lead against each of the six sides they came up against.
“It was a good result overall. We got to implant what we do at trainings into gameplay,” Carr said.
“I had so much fun, and we were always having a laugh.”
Carr was thrilled to have been selected, allowing her to test her netball skills and play alongside eight other girls from different clubs within the league.
“It was honestly a great privilege to be a part of that team. It’s so great to play with girls from other clubs,” Carr recalled.
As Carr looks forward to her next opportunity in netball, she is hopeful that her future at North Geelong will be full of new experiences and chances to play as much as possible.
“I’m hoping that I’ll still be able to play in the senior teams. I just want to learn as much as I can and be the best that I can,” Carr said.
To aid the future of netball for other young players like Carr, North Geelong has recently been allocated a total of $830,000 worth of funding for a second netball court.
This is exciting news for the club, as North Geelong are the only remaining club in the league to have only one netball court despite reaching their 150th anniversary this year.
Most weeks, the netball teams at North Geelong will have limited court time for training which restricts their ability to work alongside other teams and warm up safely.
“It’s going to be really great for everyone,” Carr said.
