Hayley Tallentire training with the Mid Canterbury representative netball squad last weekend. Photo Adam BurnsAt the start of the season, Hayley Tallentire had her sights set on a representative age grade netball bib.

On Sunday, the 17-year old will be part of the senior Mid Canterbury side who will vie to defend the Hanan Shield.

Her place among the senior squad cannot be disputed following an outstanding season as the College A front-of-goal linchpin in premier 1 netball.

“I was hoping to play under-18s, but when that got cancelled I decided to try for the seniors,” she said.

Originally from Australia, the Ashburton College Year 13 pupil comes from strong netballing ties.

Her mum, Joe Tallentire, is a local netball stalwart who has served as a rep manager and previously played for New South Wales.

After impressing during Hanan Shield trials, the younger Tallentire got the nod from Mid Canterbury coach Claire Tappin, much to her surprise.

“It was quite close between all four of our shooters so yeah I was quite happy.”

She will be lining up among some classy attacking third exponents including captain Leanne Clemens and Hampstead sharpshooter Alice Eddington.

She said her excitement in facing South Canterbury and North Otago outweighed a minor dose of nerves leading into tomorrow’s games.

Tallentire will also be joined on rep duty by her College A team-mate Poppy Kilworth, who has been another instrumental force at the other end of the court on defence.

Although the young AshColl team haven’t reached the same heights as last year when the side went on a run to clinch the Mid Canterbury premier 1 title, Tallentire said it was about developing the skills of some of the younger players in the elite grade.

“This year has been about developing some of the young ones coming through and building a strong team for next year.”

It has not stopped Tallentire from commanding the front area of the court by exhibiting game awareness and shooting accuracy strengths.

She said she embraced directing play in and around the circle.

“I like being the leader in the circle and guiding the goal attack, or if I’m in goal attack then the goal shoot.”

Tallentire is one of the three Year 13 players who will be moving on at the end of the season including Kilworth and goal shoot Sophie Adams.

Next year she is relocating to Christchurch where she will set herself up for the next phase of a representative push through the Beko League and potentially the Tactix as she enjoys a gap year.

“I’m hoping to one day play for the Tactix.”

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 4 September 2020