Mackenzie O’Dwyer plays for Shepparton Football Netball Club’s 15-and-under outfit, with the side undefeated this season.
O’Dwyer, 13, won the prestigious award, which was announced online on September 21, by one vote.
“I was a little shocked, it’s a pretty big award and I’m privileged to receive it,” O’Dwyer said.
“It was a hard year, so this is a highlight.”
O’Dwyer’s passion for netball has continued to grow since she started playing the sport when she was seven.
“Mum and Dad were highly involved with the Barooga Football Netball Club, so watching them play got me in to it,” she said.
“Mum was my coach for most of my junior years, so I learnt a lot from her.”
O’Dwyer decided to join the Shepparton Football Netball Club this year to challenge herself to improve her skills.
“They welcomed me with open arms and I’ve settled in really well,” she said.
“I love being part of the team and I’ve made so many new friends.”
The season started in early April with 11 games played before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.
“It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster and it has been pretty challenging,” O’Dwyer said.
“Being so young, it’s hard to not know when you’ll be back playing but that’s when the club and my family kept me motivated.”
O’Dwyer was looking forward to next year and was hoping for a full season without coronavirus disruptions.
With plenty of motivation, she is looking to the future with hopes of playing at the top level of the sport.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of since I was a little kid, I want to put the hard work in now so I can get into the higher leagues,” she said.
O’Dwyer’s mum Carmen O’Dwyer said her goal was to help keep her daughter motivated.
“We knew she’d had a really good year and the team itself was doing really well but we were still quite shocked that she won by one vote and were pleased by the result, ” she said.
“To be acknowledged as one of the best is a nice accolade for her to have. ”
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