“It’s really exciting,” Rees said. 

“There’s bigger bodies to play on and a good opportunity to play on some older people, which will be really good for my development.”

Rees will play under-19s for the Ariels in the VNL next season.

Rees said playing A Grade senior netball for Harrow-Balmoral this season had helped her development and preparation for the next step in her promising young career. 

“It’s a lot faster, a lot harder and physical, but I think I’ve definitely developed a bit more of that playing A Grade this year,” she said.

“The bigger bodies, and the faster gameplay has really prepared me for these trials and the VNL, so hopefully it will get me through another level.”

It has been a hectic month for Rees, who played for the Wimmera Mallee team at the State Titles in Shepparton and the academy championships in Melbourne earlier this month. 

Rees was also named in the initial squad of 50 for the Victorian State Team yesterday.

Rees said she was surprised but pleased by the selection. 

“It’s pretty exciting to be named in the top 50 in the state,” Rees said. 

“I’m pretty shocked, but very excited for the opportunity to go to trials.”

Edenhope’s Lavinia Fox was also named in the squad. Fox played for the Horsham Saints in this season’s A Grade premiership and goes to school at Ballarat Clarendon College.

Trials take place this Sunday in Melbourne.