LAHARUM’S Jess Hernon starting playing A Grade netball when she was just 15.
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Now 18, Hernon already has plenty of senior netball experience under her belt.
“I’ve played at Laharum since I was seven,” she said. “Originally I started playing A Grade when I was 15, but I had a year in B Grade last year and now am back in A Grade.
“It was very, very scary when I was 15. I came in half way through the season and it was very nerve wracking.”
Alongside her during her move to A Grade netball have been her parents – Sally and Pat – both diehard supporters of Laharum.
“My mum and dad have always been very big community helpers and dad is very heavily involved with the club,” Hernon said. “We are all pretty closely involved.”
Playing senior netball at a young age meant Hernon was often playing two games every Saturday; one in the juniors and then one in the seniors.
“It was definitely tiring, but it wasn’t too bad,” she said.
“The training helps and we train two days a week and you get that match fitness. It’s easier now only playing one game.”
Coming into the senior fold, Hernon said she had plenty of older mentors and guides at Laharum.
“All the girls are really great but this year in particular it’s been great having Maddi Iredell back in the team,” she said.
“Her and her sister Ema are great supports both on and off the court.”
Hernon has been an integral part of Laharum’s undefeated season so far. She said the team was excited for what could be achieved in this year’s finals series.
“It’s been a pretty exciting season being undefeated so far but it does put the pressure on us,” she said.
“We have solid training sessions and we have had a lot of changes in our team but we all work really well together.
“Finals are on our mind but we aren’t getting too ahead of ourselves. We don’t want to fall into a trap because it can trip you up come finals time.”