mmg.com.au

Kyabram netballer Nikki Genio has earned selection in the national Indigenous schoolgirls’ team, the Budgies.

The Kyabram P-12 College Year 11 student played for Victoria in the National Indigenous School Girls’ Carnival last month at Tallebudgera, near Burleigh Heads in Queensland.

A midcourt specialist, Genio, 16, was selected in the open side.

Her journey to selection for the Budgies began in November when she took part in trials for the Victorian side in Geelong.

Genio’s open side finished third behind winner NSW and runner-up South Queensland.

She was also completing training sessions for the Budgies on top of her other playing commitments and Genio said the rigorous schedule took its toll.

The Budgies teams were announced at the end of the carnival and Genio said she was shocked to earn a place.

‘‘I wasn’t really going there expecting to make a team, I was just going there for the experience,’’ she said.

‘‘I had a few tears when they announced the team on the last day of the tournament.’’

Genio said it was a great experience and she was proud to represent her school.

‘‘It was amazing. I met so many different girls and they were all so welcoming and it was just a great experience to play against better players,’’ Genio said.

Genio will line up with the Budgies at the The International Schoolgirls Netball Challenge in early July in Ashmore, Qld.

‘‘I want to play at the best level I can, and there’ll certainly be some good netballers at the championship.’’