Logan Village netball superstar Lori Barron, 14, has returned from South Africa with two gold medals after competing in the Junior Indoor Netball World Series.
The tri-nations competition was held in Johannesburg from July 9 to 15.
Lori played both 6-a-side and 7-a-side indoor games in the World Series with the under 14s Australian team.
There were ten girls on the squad, with seven from Queensland, one from Victoria and two from NSW.
Lori said the girls from Queensland had taken part in team training sessions but the squad had to work on team bonding and game strategy in South Africa as they had all not been on a court together.
“We really worked hard to create a solid team,” she said.
The team managed to beat New Zealand in the 6-a-side grand final and they won the 7-a-side grand final against South Africa by 20 points.
Lori said the team only dropped one game in the 6-a-side competition and they won all their 7-a-side games.
“It was an amazing feeling to only have lost one game during the whole series,” she said.
“Two golds made it even better.”
- Read more: Falcons defeats Redlands
- Read more: Parklands representation at nationals
- Read more: Under 15s Redback win
Lori said there were some close games within the competition but her favourite was the first game of the series.
“We played New Zealand and the atmosphere was crazy,” she said.
“They really play a different style of netball so it was a challenge.
“Playing at the indoor centre was exciting as you feed off the crowds vibes and play so much harder in front of so many people.
“During 6-a-side I played attacking positions and for sevens I played GA and GS.”
Lori said the team were able to go on a safari tour and through some museums in the city.
“South Africa was really eye-opening, just the difference in culture and realising how lucky you are,” she said
The Jimboomba Netball Association clubwoman and Canterbury College student said she would bring back new skills to the local netball level when she played with the Bluejays and her school team.
“I think I’ve learnt how to react to other people’s actions,” she said.
“You need to know when to be positive and to lift up people.”
Lori will now focus on her training with the Victoria Point Vipers who have the state trials coming up in September.
“I would hope to be selected for the Australian Indoor team again next year,” she said.
