Keeping it Real Read online

  About the Book

  Netball Gems is a junior fiction series written in partnership with Netball Australia.

  Does Sienna still have time to play for the Gems?

  Sienna is crazy about netball, especially about playing Goal Keeper. But Sienna’s other passion is horseriding, and when her Uncle lends her a beautiful palomino to ride at Pony Club, Sienna is ecstatic. That is, until she realises that between netball and horseriding, she barely has a spare minute. Soon, Sienna is exhausted and both her schoolwork and netball skills are suffering. She’s even starting to lose her trademark sense of humour!

  Will Sienna find a way to balance her hobbies and chase her dream of becoming a great Australian defender?

  Contents

  Cover

  About the Book

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  The Marrang Gems

  Player Profile

  Netball Drills

  Netball Positions

  Also in the Series

  Copyright Notice

  Chapter One

  ‘Goal!’ The umpire’s whistle blew and the crowd cheered.

  ‘Oh no,’ Sienna groaned. That wasn’t meant to happen. Not when I’m Goal Keeper!

  ‘Never mind,’ Sienna’s mum called from the sideline. ‘Keep trying!’

  Sienna smiled and waved to her mum. She was glad to have her support, especially when she’d made an error that helped put the opposition in front.

  I bet Laura Geitz would never make that mistake, she thought.

  Laura Geitz was Goal Keeper for the Australian Diamonds. She also played Goal Keeper and Goal Defence for the Queensland Firebirds. Laura was Sienna’s idol.

  Oh well. Every centre pass is a new opportunity! she told herself. Stay positive!

  It was the first game in the summer netball competition. The main winter competition had finished a few weeks ago and the Marrang Gems had won the grand final – their first ever!

  Janet, the Gems’ coach, had enrolled them in summer netball for a bit of fun and to ensure the girls kept their skills and fitness up. It only ran for eight weeks, but there would still be a grand final at the end.

  The summer competition provided a new pool of teams to play against and the girls were looking forward to the challenge.

  Besides Sienna, the other regular Gems players in the summer team were Jade, Prani, Maddy, Isabella and Lily. Two new girls were filling in.

  The first new player was Eve, Jade’s friend, who usually played for Thomson. The girls from Thomson had decided not to enter the summer competition so Eve had been only too happy to fill in for Maia, who was playing cricket over the summer. Eve’s favourite positions were Goal Defence and Wing Defence.

  The second new girl was Kasey, one of Eve’s Thomson teammates. Kasey’s favourite position was Goal Shooter so she slotted into the Gems well since Phoebe, their star Goal Shooter, was overseas visiting her grandparents for the summer.

  It looked a little strange seeing Eve and Kasey in the royal blue Marrang netball dress, with its white side panels and pink lettering, but Sienna was quickly getting used to it.

  For their first game, the Marrang Gems were playing a team called Jubilee. It was the final quarter and the score was tied at 15 all. It was Jubilee’s turn for the centre pass and there were only minutes left on the clock.

  We can’t let Jubilee get in front, Sienna thought. The next goal will be crucial.

  As if echoing her thoughts, Janet called out, ‘Try for an intercept. We need to stop them getting another goal!’

  The players moved to their starting positions. As Goal Keeper, Sienna was only allowed in the Gems’ goal third. She jogged up to the transverse line and toed it with her right foot.

  Brrrp! The whistle blew.

  The ball flew from the Jubilee Centre to the Wing Attack then back to the Centre. Sienna kept close to her opposition player, the Goal Shooter, a tall, thin girl with bright pink sneakers. As she ran about the court, her incredibly long, bright blonde plait swished from side to side like a thick horse’s tail.

  Sienna was obsessed with horses and often read stories about them in her spare time. She had giggled to herself when she’d secretly named the girl Merrylegs, which was one of the horses from her all-time favourite book, Black Beauty.

  That hair must be so heavy! Sienna thought, darting across the court to keep up with Merrylegs.

  Sienna’s job as Goal Keeper was to stay one step ahead of her opposition player by predicting her movements and keeping in front of her to try to intercept the ball, should it come her way.

  The Jubilee Wing Defence passed the ball to the Goal Attack. Although Eve was doing a splendid job at Goal Defence, the ball still managed to get past her. The Jubilee Goal Attack searched for someone to pass to. Sienna watched the girl’s face, intuitively realising that she was going to throw to the Goal Shooter.

  Time for an intercept. I have to get the ball before Merrylegs does!

  Sienna launched herself into the air, hands outstretched and eyes on the ball. Merrylegs jumped too, but Sienna was quicker. She caught the ball in both hands then landed on her toes.

  The Shooter and the other Jubilee players looked shocked at Sienna’s brilliant intercept. The crowd – even the Jubilee supporters – applauded, recognising that Sienna had done well to steal possession at a critical time.

  Sienna passed to Prani at Centre. Prani got a quick pass to Maddy at Wing Attack in the centre third, and within moments the ball was in the Gems’ goal circle. Despite pressure from Jubilee’s Goal Defence, Kasey, the Gems’ Goal Attack, potted the ball straight into the ring.

  Goal!

  Chapter Two

  Brrrp! The final whistle blew.

  ‘Yay! We won!’ Sienna cried. ‘Group hug, everyone!’

  Sienna’s exuberance infected her teammates and they were soon all hugging and congratulating each other.

  ‘You’re the best,’ Sienna told Prani. ‘And so are you, Jade and Maddy and Eve and Kasey and Lily and Isabella. Top job, girls!’

  Floating with happiness, the Gems players congratulated the Jubilee team then marched off court. They grabbed their water bottles and gathered around Janet as their parents crowded behind.

  ‘Fantastic game,’ Janet said. ‘There were some valuable intercepts in that last quarter. When scores are close and teams are going goal for goal off the centre pass, intercepts are crucial. Sienna, you had a blistering game as Goal Keeper. I think that’s the best you’ve ever played.’

  Sienna glowed at her coach’s praise.

  ‘Well done, Sienna,’ Mum said. ‘That was so much fun to watch.’

  ‘Not as much fun as it was playing!’ Sienna said. ‘It was so full-on at the end with the scores locked and me having to defend against that awesome Jubilee Shooter. I barely came up to her bellybutton!’

  The girls and their parents laughed at Sienna’s exaggeration.

  ‘But seriously, guys, I couldn’t have done it without Eve.’ She turned to the other girl and smiled. ‘You had a fabulous game.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Eve blushed. ‘I love being part of the Gems.’

  ‘Me too,’ Kasey said. ‘
I can’t believe how well we work together!’

  ‘There’s no stopping the Gems!’ Sienna said. ‘We could have another grand final win coming up. Wouldn’t that be awesome?’

  ‘It sure would,’ Lily agreed.

  ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,’ Janet warned. ‘We’ve got some work to do yet. But I agree. You’re playing well together. And I have an idea that might make you even tighter. Who’s up for some off-court team-bonding fun at the inflatable water park?’

  ‘I love that place!’ Sienna said.

  Lily laughed. ‘Remember when we went last year and you were the only one who would go down the giant waterslide?’

  ‘That’s right!’ Sienna said.

  Janet shook her head. ‘Why am I not surprised … So, is everyone free tomorrow?’

  All the girls nodded excitedly.

  ‘I’ll come.’

  ‘I’m free.’

  Sienna was nodding too, until she realised that she’d made other plans for the next day.

  ‘I’m sorry but I can’t make it,’ Sienna apologised. ‘I’m visiting my uncle.’

  ‘That’s okay,’ Janet said. ‘You can’t be in two places at once.’

  Sienna held her finger up, as if struck by an idea. ‘Unless I can come up with a magic potion for splitting myself in two. Or time travel. Or unlocking the secrets of multiverses!’

  Janet’s eyebrows knotted together in confusion. ‘Uh-huh. Well, good luck with that.’

  ‘Are you going to do any horseriding?’ Lily asked.

  Sienna’s teammates knew she loved horses. She regularly told them about her trips to her uncle’s farm.

  ‘I hope so!’ Sienna replied.

  I can’t wait to see Uncle Ian, she thought. And pretty soon her disappointment at missing out on the water park turned to excitement at the prospect of a trip to the country. I wonder if he has any new animals?

  Chapter Three

  Sienna watched the trees flash by as Dad drove along the country laneway. After the game, Sienna had gone home, showered, and hopped straight back into the car with Dad to head to Uncle Ian’s farm. They had been driving for over an hour, the roads becoming increasingly deserted and the houses more scattered.

  This really is in the middle of nowhere, she mused, as the bitumen road gave way to gravel.

  Sienna thought about her Gems teammates going to the water park tomorrow and a pang of jealousy struck her.

  I hope they don’t have too much fun without me!

  Then Dad drove up over a hill then down into a valley. Sienna’s breath caught in her throat as she gazed at the paddocks below, and all thoughts of netball flew from her mind.

  Green fields were marked out in neat rectangles by white-painted timber fences. In the distance, a creek wound across the landscape, edged by sweeping willow trees. Horses and cows grazed contentedly among buttercups and wildflowers that added splashes of colour here and there.

  Has it been two weeks since I’ve been here? I’ve missed this place.

  ‘Finally,’ Dad said, as they pulled up outside a sprawling farmhouse. ‘Now you can stop nagging me about coming to see Ian’s horses. Go knock yourself out.’

  ‘Sure thing, Dad.’ Sienna laughed as she flicked off her seatbelt and burst out of the car. ‘Uncle Ian! Where are you?’

  Uncle Ian appeared from the stable doorway. ‘Jack!’ He gave Sienna’s dad a welcoming hug. ‘How are you, little brother?’

  ‘Not bad. How are you?’

  ‘Good.’ Uncle Ian turned to Sienna with a beaming smile. ‘Sienna, come and give your uncle a hug. I like your new jodhpurs.’

  Sienna gave Uncle Ian a hug and a kiss. He was her favourite uncle and she often visited his farm. Sometimes in the school holidays she came to stay for weeks at a time. She loved riding the horses, milking the cows and collecting eggs from the chickens. She also liked spending time with Uncle Ian. He had three grown-up daughters, much older than Sienna, who had moved to the city for university and work. Sienna knew her uncle was sometimes lonely on the big farm.

  If only we lived nearby … Then I could see Uncle Ian more often and do more riding. That would be awesome!

  ‘I have a surprise for you,’ Uncle Ian said.

  ‘What is it?’ Sienna clapped her hands together. ‘Tell me!’

  Uncle Ian laughed. ‘If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it? Come on.’

  When Uncle Ian ushered Sienna inside the stables, the first thing she noticed was how cool and dark it was. The second thing she noticed was the smell. That fresh, pungent scent of straw, horse sweat and manure was very distinctive.

  They passed the tack room where the saddles, bridles and halters were stored. The walls were lined with shelves sporting various trophies. Coloured felt ribbons of brilliant reds, blues, greens and purples printed with gold lettering – prizes Sienna’s cousins had won at numerous events – were pinned to the walls, covering them like wallpaper. Over the years, Sienna had spent many hours in the tack room admiring her cousin’s riding ribbons, wishing she had some of her own.

  Maybe one day, she thought to herself.

  They came to a stall door. The bottom half was secured but the top half was open. Inside the stall, Sienna saw clean straw spread out on the floor. A feed trough was filled with hay and a water trough brimmed with water.

  Standing in the stall was a golden pony with a white mane and tail.

  ‘Wow! She’s so pretty,’ Sienna said. ‘I love palominos.’

  Uncle Ian smiled as he gazed at the pony. ‘I know.’

  ‘When did you get her?’

  ‘A few days ago. Honey’s on loan from a mate.’ He turned to Sienna. ‘I got her so you could join the local pony club. It will help with your riding skills and give you something to focus on when you visit.’

  Pony club!

  A million questions whizzed through Sienna’s mind, and she immediately began shooting them at her uncle. ‘Where’s the pony club held? What events can I enter? Will I win ribbons? What do I wear?’

  Uncle Ian laughed. ‘So does that mean you’re keen to try pony club, then?’

  ‘Yes!’ Sienna launched herself at her uncle and gave him the biggest hug ever. ‘Honey? I love that name! It really suits her. Can I pat her?’

  ‘Of course,’ Uncle Ian said.

  Sienna opened the door and stepped into the stall, holding her hand out to the pony. ‘Hello, Honey. You’re such a beautiful girl.’

  The pony nickered as she nudged her nose into Sienna’s hand. ‘She’s so gentle and friendly. I love her!’

  ‘And in answer to your questions, the pony club is just up the road,’ Uncle Ian said. ‘They have regular meets where you can enter competitions like dressage and show jumping and you can learn more about riding. They also go on musters every so often.’

  ‘That. Sounds. Amazing!’

  ‘And there will be ribbons and what you’re wearing will be absolutely fine until you get your club polo shirt.’

  Sienna grinned. ‘It all sounds perfect. When can we go?’

  ‘They have a meet on tomorrow. If you want, we can load Honey into the float and get going first thing in the morning.’

  ‘Can I, Dad?’ Sienna asked.

  ‘Sure. It sounds like fun. I’d like to see this pony club, too.’

  ‘Yay!’ If she hadn’t have been in the stall with Honey, Sienna would have jumped up and down for joy.

  Chapter Four

  Sienna woke at first light, too excited to sleep any longer. She put on her riding outfit – including her new jodhpurs – and raced to the stables to see Honey. An hour or so later, once Dad and Uncle Ian had woken up, they came out to help Sienna get Honey ready.

  Uncle Ian handed Sienna a halter, which she fitted on Honey before leading her out. The little mare was so nicely behaved! Her owner had trained her well. Honey stepped onto the ramp and walked up into the horse float. She then waited patiently while Sienna secured her lead before Uncle Ian and Dad shut th
e float door.

  Sienna couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she rode in Uncle Ian’s four-wheel drive to the pony club meeting.

  As they drove up to the pony club grounds, Sienna saw a large grassed area, a fenced sand arena and some round yards. There were trucks, horse floats, horses and riders everywhere.

  Sienna was bubbling with excitement and nerves, which she tried to hide by busying herself unloading Honey while Uncle Ian and Dad went to sign on with the club committee.

  As Sienna was brushing Honey’s mane and tail and chatting to the little pony, she heard a voice behind her.

  ‘Howdy.’

  Sienna looked around to see two girls her age seated on ponies. One girl wore her long, black hair in two plaits underneath her riding helmet. Her pony was white and had a plaited mane and tail woven with various colours. The other girl sat on a chestnut horse, whose mane and tail were also decorated with ribbons. Her hair was brown and she wore it in a low ponytail beneath her helmet. Both girls wore green polo shirts with the black ‘Greenvale Pony Club’ logo printed on them, cream-coloured jodhpurs and shiny black riding boots.

  ‘Hi,’ Sienna said.

  ‘I’m Tara,’ the girl with the black hair said. ‘And this is Jasmine.’ She nodded towards her friend on the chestnut horse.

  ‘I’m Sienna. And this is Honey.’

  ‘She’s so pretty!’ Jasmine said. ‘I love palominos.’

  ‘Your horses are pretty too,’ Sienna said. ‘I love how you’ve decorated their manes and tails.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Tara said. ‘Is this your first time at pony club? I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.’