Talented Albany athlete and rising netball star Keely Berry picked in West Coast Fever’s under-17 futures team

Albany defensive young gun Keely Berry is relishing the opportunity to play for West Coast Fever’s under-17 futures squad after catching the eye of development coaches at the State Cup held in Perth last month. The athletic Kangas defender was selected alongside four other Great Southern netballers for the Fever in Time program for a shot to be picked in the Fever’s under-17 side that will compete at nationals. After putting together a superb performance in the title-winning South 2 team, Berry made it through the second phase of trials and was selected as one of just two regional players in the Fever’s 21-player final squad. The 16-year-old is also a talented basketballer who has played for Country WA on three occasions. An elated Berry was grateful for the nod and was confident she could compete with the State’s best rising players. “It feels amazing actually. I’m very lucky, very fortunate but kind of nervous at the same time,” she said. “I felt like I had a good shot, but it still surprised me. “You have to step up to their level and then maintain that level but I feel like once I stepped up, I competed pretty well.” The netball nationals will clash with the basketball national championships, meaning Berry is grappling with the tough decisions that come with being a dual athlete. “No, I don’t know yet, but I have to make the (final) teams first or at least one of the teams, so it might be able to choose for me,” Berry said. “But yeah, I’m not sure yet.” The team will start its two-month training in December before the playing squad will be selected for the national championships in April. Being one of two regional players selected, Berry will rely heavily on the Great Southern Academy of Sport to assist her with training and conditioning. “GSAS will be a big help, with the strength side but then with the team, I’ll have to go out there to train with them,” she said. “It’s good to see where I have to improve to be at that level, and seeing what I have to do to perform up there with all the good players. “(I need to improve) my footwork and speed, because I’m a defender, so you have to be really quick. “But with better players you can pass stronger, so I’m able to fizz the ball rather than just being cautious.”