IT’S not every day you get to learn from a world champion.

Coffs Coast’s junior netballers received this great opportunity when Ash Brazill visited last week.

The Australian Diamonds player was in town to hold netball clinics at Southern Cross University and Sportz Central.

The clinics were hosted by the Sawtell Toormina Netball Club, and featured the Australian representative focusing on key areas such as footwork, attack, defence, mid court defence, dictating space, goal setting and leadership.

Brazill was a member of the Australian Diamonds team who won the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, and was also part of the gold winning team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Domestically she has played for the NSW Swifts, West Coast Fever and Collingwood Magpies.

In addition to her achievements in netball, she has also excelled on the footy field, having played 32 AFLW games for the Collingwood Magpies, in which she was an All-Australian in 2019.

The Australian representative shared the main advice she gave the young Coffs Coast players.

“Just to never give up, and for me I haven’t had the easiest run in my netball career, I’ve missed out on a lot of teams from juniors all the way up to Diamonds,” she said.

“I could have easily walked away from the game, but I decided not to give up and keep trying and I reckon because of that you build resilience and then you find yourself playing for Australia.”

Brazill was impressed with the Coffs netball community.

“There’s been some awesome talent, and it’s just been nice getting to speak to some young kids and the parents as well, and love that they get behind their netball,” she said.

“It’s in good health here, and it’s been awesome getting to know the people that run it as well and just the enthusiasm they have, and as a young kid that’s what you want, people to back you in and that’s what’s been great here.”

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist had a clear-cut career highlight.

“For me it was the Commonwealth Games, and to play there when you are around so many other amazing athletes from different sports, that’s what I loved,” she said.

“Playing for Australia was the goal, I just wanted to either go to the Olympics or Commonwealth Games and represent Australia, so to be up on that podium with a medal around my neck it was a win.

“So, two years ago to be at the Commonwealth Games and walk away with a gold medal, it’s honestly a dream come true and a moment I’ll never forget and a group of women that will be in my life forever.”

After six seasons with the Collingwood Magpies, Brazill is set to play for the Fremantle Dockers in the next AFLW season.

By Aiden BURGESS