Sport
25 February, 2025
Benbow thrilled to be selected in Wimmera Mallee open squad for state titles
Jaylen Benbow selected in open netball squad as a 17-year-old.
The inaugural Wimmera Mallee open senior netball team has been assembled to take on the state titles ahead of the 2025 football and Netball season.
Five Wimmera League netballers and three Horsham District League players will join three players from the North Central Netball Association in the regional team.
Jaylen Benbow, a Kalkee junior who has made the move to Laharum this off-season, is among the group selected and said she is thrilled join the team.
"I did the two years before [under-17s], so I kind of had my foot in the door. I loved it, the community and also just playing in it," she said.
From her experience in the under-17s, Benbow knew she wanted to take on that challenge at an open-age level.
"When I found out there was an open team I said to Mum and Dad sign me up [for the trials] I want to do it," she said.
Ahead of the trials, Benbow went in with no expectation of selection.
"I have a little bit of experience with the tryouts before, so I knew what was going to be happening," she said.
"I came home going, I'm a defender, one of the shortest and I'm playing against these huge shooters. I said to Mum and Dad, I'll be happy to be a training partner, or even just to be involved and to be a part of it."
But, after the conformation of her selection, it still has not quite sunk in for Benbow.
"I still remember getting the email, and I was like this is what I've been working for," she said.
"It is still a bit surreal, I'm so excited to be a part of something so cool."
It will not be the first time that the 17-year-old has played against experienced opponents, as she was a part of Kalkee's B Grade team that won a HDFNL premiership in 2024.
Which is something the Benbow believes will be beneficial.
"[Last season] was super different, because I was playing my 17s game, and then I was going and playing B Grade," she said.
"Playing with people that are older and then playing against people that are older, it teaches you a lot.
"It definitely helped me to be able to play on those stronger bodies and play on people that have got years more experience than I do."
The squad is deep in preparation for the upcoming tournament, with it less than two weeks away.
And with players travelling far and wide, the time spent as a group has been crucial.
"Having those training's and doing that teamwork stuff has definitely helped the chemistry of the team as well," Benbow said.
"It's good having those relationships, because you never know when you're going to see these people again.
"I've definitely learned that there's a lot of funny people on our team."
Benbow will travel with the team to Frankston from March 8-10 to compete in the State Titles.
Full squad: Keegan Amos (Birchip Watchem), Jenna Angel (Birchip Watchem), Jaylen Benbow (Laharum), Jayde Ellis (Pimpinio), Zoe Gray (Taylors Lake), Claudia Griffiths (Minyip Murtoa), Taya Horman (SMT), Isabella Orszulak (Warrack), Indy Ward (Dimboola), Jess White (Donald), Mikaela Wright (Minyip Murtoa).
Coach: Tash McIntyre (Taylors Lake).
Team Manager: Chris Amos (St Arnaud).
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