Gibson, Newman fire for Jets

Busselton players Paris Newman and Brooke Gibson have made an excellent start to the season as important cogs in the ECU Souwest Jets team who defeated the Rangers by 10 goals.

Newman debuted this year while Gibson is returning after the 2019 National Netball Tournament, where she represented WA.

Newman, 16, tested her strength against some of the most experienced players in WA and stood strong against the tough bodies.

Known for her intercepts and creating turnovers, Newman is taking her game to a new level, growing every week and adjusting to the tougher, more experienced competition.

Assistant coach Lisa Millman said Newman was the fittest in the club thanks to a top result in the team’s gruelling recent Yo-Yo test.

“Paris is building her versatility inside and outside the circle, developing her instinctive first-ball contest and gaining valuable experience in such a great competition,” she said.

This is Gibson’s second season in league, with her experience at nationals and the elite training environment giving her the skills to dominate the shooting circle. “I feel privileged to be able to play with such amazing athletes and to be given the opportunities to further my knowledge and skills of the game through the challenges that have been thrown my way,” Gibson said.

With many of the league players injured or playing for the Australian Netball League team Western Sting, Brooke is making the most of the opportunities and challenges provided to her.

This week the ECU Souwest Jets will take on the East Fremantle Sharks at home court, the Eaton Rec Centre.

The Jets will be boosted by the return of West Australian Netball League players Sloan Burton, Giselle Taylor and Jessica Repacholi who are coming off back-to-back wins against the Southern Force.

Last season, the home crowd helped the Jets deliver all three wins at home with many supporters expected on Saturday night.

The Under-20 division starts at 5pm, and the league game will begin at 6:45pm with free entry for children under 16.

“Girls from the Busselton Netball Association come and barrack loudly,” Millman said.