Harding On Target To Become Future Star

Newcastle Herald

Thursday May 3, 2007

RENEE VALENTINE

LOOKING at the scoresheet, no one would know Hunter Jaegers goal shooter Alex Harding had a bad case of nerves before hitting the court for her national netball league debut.

The 20-year-old admitted to being "shaky" when told she would be in the starting side for the team's season opener against the Perth Orioles in Grafton last weekend.

But there was nothing shaky about the shooter's first-up performance on the national stage Harding netting 34 goals at 79 per cent in Hunter's 56-51 win over the Orioles.

"It was incredible," Harding said.

"There were honestly no words to describe how I was feeling.

"I went from being so excited and ready to go, to feeling ill it was a real range of emotions."

It did not take Harding long to find her groove once the game started, and she was soon showing why she has already been identified as an exciting prospect for Australia by winning selection in the national under-21 squad.

"I had so much nervous energy, but once I sunk my first shot I started getting into my rhythm and settled down a bit," Harding said.

Harding, who trained once a week with the Jaegers last year and twice sat on the bench for home games, played a full game against Perth and combined well with goal attack Lara Welham.

"Lara is the coolest customer and she was really supportive and gave me encouragement throughout the whole game, which really did settle me down," Harding said.

"I'm the hardest critic on myself, but in terms of the national league 79 is quite a good percentage. But I would like to be up in the 80s, which is something I will aim for in the coming games.

"I haven't cemented my spot but I know I have made a good impression, and hopefully I can prove myself worthy in future weeks."

Coach Jon Fletcher has been impressed by the 188-centimetre shooter's continued improvements.

"She's very strong in the air, she's a very strong player above her head and she's a nice, mobile player as well," he said.

"Her skills are improving every time she takes the court, and each day we're seeing a slightly better player."

Fletcher will take an unchanged 12-player squad to Adelaide today for Hunter's match against the Thunderbirds tomorrow night.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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