AustLit

'It's their first season together and the Marrang Under 13s team is finding its way. All the girls have a favourite position and dream of playing for the Australian Diamonds. But before that dream can become a reality, there are skills to learn, nerves to overcome, friendships to make, matches to play and so much fun to be had!

'In Pivot and Win can Lily find a way to show everyone that great netballers don't always need to be tall? And in Defend to the End, will Maia be able to adopt a new a new style of defence?' (Publication summary)

'Meet the girls from the Netball Gems!

'It's their first season together and the Marrang Under 13s team is finding its way. All the girls have a favourite position and dream of playing for the Australian Diamonds. But before that dream can become a reality, there are skills to learn, nerves to overcome, friendships to make, matches to play and so much fun to be had!

'In Hooked on Netball will Maddy's skills be up to scratch? And in Chase Your Goal, can shy Phoebe find her place in the Gems?' (Publication summary)

'Will Sahar become the Gems' newest member?

'Sahar has only recently arrived in Australia but she's already found friends in Sienna, Lily and Maia. And when she sees them practising their netball moves, something inside Sahar sparks. Having never played netball before though, she doesn't believe she could be the player the Gems need – that is, until she gets out on court! However, it looks like some creative thinking will be needed in order for her to join the team.

'Can Sahar overcome the obstacles standing in her way and discover the joy of playing netball?' (Publication summary)

'Is Prani happy with her role in the Gems?

Prani is the comedian of the Gems. She never takes anything too seriously, even netball, and loves having fun with her teammates. Lately though, Prani is starting to realise how much she does enjoy playing, especially as Centre. But there's always so many family commitments and events in Prani's life that she feels like she can't devote as much time to netball as the other Gems.

'Will Prani be able to let her new-found worries go and continue playing her fun and fluid style of netball?' (Publication summary)

'Will Maia ever fit in with the Gems?

'Maia's just moved to Australia from New Zealand and is finding it tough. She misses her cousins, her netball team and the way everything used to be so familiar. Even her school assignments are reminding her that she doesn't belong. When Maia's mum signs her up to play for the Marrang Gems, things start to look up. That is, until Maia realises that even the way they play netball in Australia is different!

'Can Maia learn a new style of defence from one of Australia's best players while still staying true to her netball roots?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Is being a Gem enough for Lily?

'Lily comes from a family of great netballers and dreams of playing for the Diamonds one day. She loves being on court and jumping for every intercept. But Lily's worried that she might never be tall enough to make it as a professional player. How can she get people to look past her height? To add to Lily's troubles, something very mysterious is going on at home. Things keep disappearing and turning up in the strangest places. Could her troublemaker brother have anything to do with it?

'Maybe a new move and a secret weapon will help Lily become the netball dynamo she is determined to be!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Can shy Phoebe find her place in the Gems?

'Phoebe loves to shoot goals, and she's great at it too. She dreams of being a famous netballer and playing in front of thousands. The problem is that she's nervous all the time, even around her teammates – and there are only seven of them! Why can't she make friends as easily as Lily and Sienna? Things don't get any easier when her overenthusiastic dad starts coaching from the sidelines. Could anything be more embarrassing?

'Will a mystery puzzle and a new netball idol give Phoebe the confidence she needs to become a true member of the team?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Meet Maddy and her friends from the Gems!

'Maddy can't wait to play her first game of netball with her new team. She's been training hard and is eager to try out her skills. But Maddy's excitement soon turns to nerves when she realises that things might not go exactly as she imagined. What position will coach Janet put her in? What if she gets asked to sit on the bench? Suddenly, the netball courts are the last place Maddy wants to be!

'Perhaps some inspiration from one of the Australian Diamonds players will finally get Maddy hooked on netball!'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Gold medals and love: can Rachel win both? Rachel is now playing for a team called Phoenix and she is doing so well that she is regarded as a core member. Rachel is devastated to miss out on the Australian Netball Squad selection for the Commonwealth Games, but when one of the key Australian players is injured at the final training session, Rachel is called to fill the vacant spot. Her lifelong dream comes true! While away Rachel keeps a diary for the two weeks of the Games, recording her battles with insecurity, victories on the court, travel experiences and the regular phone conversations with boyfriend Daniel. The battle for gold between New Zealand and Australia is both exhausting and exhilarating. After the game Rachel is frustrated when she can't ring Daniel because she is called away to do a media interview. There she discovers that the 'interviewer' is Daniel, who has used all of his savings to be with her for her final match. Ages 10-14' (Publication abstract)

'Rachel revels in her opportunities with the Victorian Institute for Sport. However, keeping up with the increased training demands and the ongoing pressure of schoolwork makes it difficult for Rachel to find time to spend with her best friend Sophie and boyfriend Daniel.Sophie and Rachel resort to e-mail to keep in touch. But staying close to Daniel is much harder. What will be more important to Rachel when the relationship finally comes to a head her sporting ambitions or Daniel? Ages 9+' (Publication abstract)

'Rachel's cousin, Cassie, starts to socialise with Rachel and her friends. Cassie is a nice enough girl, but she's very different from Rachel and Sophie. She's into make-up, clothes and staying up late, whereas Rachel and Sophie are more interested in sport, movies and early training sessions. The differences between them gradually become more obvious, causing friction, until Cassie eventually loses interest in the group and moves on. Rachel and Sophie go to the Netball Regional Screening Day and perform well. They both receive invitations to attend the next Zone Talent Camp, but Sophie's mother is diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time. This news places enormous stress on the family and it looks as though Sophie will have to miss out on the camp. Daniel suggests they organise a car wash to raise money for some home help so that Sophie can still go. Rachel still joins in the car wash, even though Daniel has been distancing himself from her and she's not sure why. Rachel and Sophie attend the Zone Talent Camp, where Rachel clashes with the head coach and thinks she has been left out of the squad as a result. It turns out that the coach was driving her to see what she could achieve under pressure. Rachel is offered a scholarship to the Victorian Institute for Sport. Ages 9+' (Publication abstract)

'Endorsed by Netball Australia. Rachel is 15 years old and loves netball she has her sights set on playing for Australia. Just when a Club scout visits looking for promising players to upgrade, she twists her ankle. To make matters worse, the coach has just announced that their team will have to merge with another club. Rachel tries out and makes the new team, but is finding a couple of the more experienced players hard to get along with. Will Rachel be able to overcome her difficulties and become part of the team? Ages 9+' (Publication abstract)