Polding Basketball trials were held in Tamworth again this year, with the girls’ trials showcasing a high level of basketball talent from across our region. In hot and humid conditions, the Diocesan girls team displayed great sportsmanship, teamwork and skill level throughout the day. Initially the below Maitland-Newcastle girls were selected into the possibles and probable’s stage;
Poppy Harman (St Kevin’s Primary School, Cardiff)
OIive Lindsell (St Aloysius Primary School, Chisholm)
Arlee-Rose Sorenson (St Paul’s Primary School, Rutherford)
Grace Morgan Nischang (St Paul’s Primary School, Rutherford)
Violet Rogan (St Therese’s Primary School, New Lambton)
Charli Smith (St John the Baptist Primary School, Maitland)
Hope Radburn (St Joseph’s Primary School, Taree)
After this stage Poppy, Olive, Arlee-Rose, Violet and Charli were selected for the Polding Team.
Poppy, Olive and Arlee showed confidence and control under pressure, demonstrating strong ball-handling skills and an ability to drive and finish around the basket. All three girls displayed excellent leadership qualities, with their court vision and ability to direct their team around the court evident throughout all games, contributing to their selection in the team
Violet and Charli displayed great strength around the basket at both ends of the court, consistently finishing through contact and showing relentless determination in their rebounding efforts. Both girls demonstrated strong coachability, readily taking on feedback and adapting their play in response to coaching.
The boys also delivered a high-tempo showcase of talent, with the Maitland-Newcastle contingent bringing relentless energy and a competitive edge that stood out from the opening tip. Across both ends of the floor, the boys displayed outstanding skill, court awareness and discipline, matched by exemplary sportsmanship on and off the court.
Wil MacDougall (St James’ Primary School, Kotara South), Patrick Houlker-Te Tai (St Therese’s Primary School, New Lambton) and Mateo Riddle (St Patrick’s Primary School, Lochinvar) rose to the occasion, earning selection in both groups before cementing their places in the Polding team for 2026, an outstanding achievement and a testament to their performance on the big stage.
Congratulations to Poppy, Olive, Arlee-Rose, Violet, Charli, Wil, Patrick and Mateo on their selection and the best of luck representing Polding at the NSW PSSA State competition later this year!
