Olivia Clark spends six days a week racing across the border between training, study and caregiving in pursuit of her netball dream.
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The 18-year-old from Queanbeyan will now add a six-hour return trip to Sydney each Wednesday, with the Capital Spirit to launch their inaugural NSW Premier League season this week.
But time away from home comes at a cost. Her younger sister Taylor has mild cerebral palsy, epilepsy and had major back surgery for scoliosis earlier this year.
Clark helps her parents as a caregiver on their working days. She drives Taylor to-and-from school, sorts out her lunch and became a tutor during the coronavirus shutdown.
The responsibilities have grown but the juggling act comes naturally to the Queanbeyan shooter, with two elite netball competitions a welcome distraction.
"I've grown up with it. It comes naturally to me, every now and then she likes to throw in something new just to keep us on our toes," Clark said.
"A lot of the time [during shutdown] I was waking up early and getting my training done as soon as I could.
"I'd come home and try to have breakfast before she would wake up, so everything was set out for her. It was about getting her ready for school and then afterwards making sure she would have lunch.
"She comes to a lot of State League games with mum. She likes to watch her iPad but every now and then she'd look up, clap and say 'go sissy'. It's amazing when she's there."
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Clark and the Spirit will open their inaugural Premier League campaign against North Shore United at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday night.
She was elevated from the Spirit's under-23's to open's squad last month to replace the injured Maddie Robinson.
It's the highest level she's played outside Netball ACT's State League competition and is excited to test herself against the best of NSW.
"It'll definitely be a step up considering some of the Australian Netball League and former Super Netball players are still in the Premier League," Clark said.
"I'm a bit nervous but more so excited to get back out on court and go against this tougher competition.
"I think it's an amazing opportunity for us because a lot of the girls have been traveling to Sydney for different teams previously. It's good to have a local team so we can train here instead of going to Sydney twice a week."
The Spirit squad will juggle their duties between Premier League and State League each week, with only 48 hours between matches.
Clark, who plays for Queanbeyan's division one team, says it's all part of the journey.
"I feel like it'll be hard to get used to at first having two games a week, but it'll just help us," Clark said.
"We've all been in the Netball ACT environment for a while. So, we know the recovery steps we need to take, like getting a good night sleep as much as we can."
NSW PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND ONE
Wednesday: North Shore United v Capital Spirit at Netball Central, Sydney. Under 23's: 6.45pm, Open's: 8.45pm.