The prospect of playing for Australia was merely a dream for South Canberra's Samantha Bondietti until she checked her emails three days ago.
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Between the National Netball Championships' cancellation and delayed state seasons, Bondietti was shocked to find her name among 90 of Australia's best teenage talent.
The Capital Spirit defender is one of four ACT athletes named in Netball Australia's 2020 Centre of Excellence squads, joining Malia Harrison, Jessica Berry and Poppy Hancox.
Their inclusion puts the quartet in contention for the Netball Youth World Cup, which has been postponed until at least late next year.
For Bondietti, a Daramalan College student, it caps off a whirlwind year which has seen her juggle school, State League and Spirit duties - with the 16-year-old prone train seven times a week.
"It was a bit of a shock to be fair because we didn't have Nationals this year, but it's quite exciting," Bondietti said.
"I'm looking forward to the experience, playing with new girls and getting my name out there. It's a massive opportunity.
"I'd like to make a few more teams but this is the first step, you never know where it takes you. There's always big goals, everyone wants to get to the Diamonds, whether that happens or not."
Netball Australia plans to host training camps for the Centre of Excellence squad later this year, with coach Michelle Wilkins to lead the under-17's and under-19's program.
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Berry and Harrison will step up to the under-19's level, while Bondietti and Hancox are new to the national pathway.
Spirit and ACTAS coach Kate Carpenter says the quartet are deserving of their spots and is impressed with the capital's talent pool.
"To be recognised nationally and have the opportunity to make that step up across the 17 and 19s is fantastic," Carpenter said.
"It's an important aspect of the program and Netball Australia is really keen to host these camps.
"There's been a lot of cancellations, particularly Nationals, so the girls are looking forward to it.
"It might have a different feel, that depends on restrictions and regulations. It will go ahead and have support around it, focus points and themes that our athletes coming through the pathway will benefit from."
Bondietti and Harrison are part of the Capital Spirit program, in the under-23's and open's teams respectively.
They'll meet the South Coast Blaze at Netball NSW on Wednesday, who's under-23's side sits on top of the conference B standings.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
