Tara Murray
Jacqui Newton has experienced the highs and lows this year on the way to making an official debut for the Melbourne Vixens in the Suncorp Super Netball Competition.
A training partner with the side for the last three seasons, Newton has been around the team and been in the match day squad a few times due to injury.
But with the match day squad extended to 12 this year due to the shorter breaks in between games as teams compete in a bubble in Queensland, Newton has found herself in the Vixens’ squad early in the season.
It didn’t take her long to score court time, stepping onto the court in the second quarter in round one.
Newton knows she’s lucky the season is up and going, let alone stepping onto the court for the Vixens.
Earlier this year, she spent two weeks isolating with her sister, before going to Wodonga to be with their parents for several weeks when the lockdown first hit.
“It was bleak [when pre-season was cancelled], as that coincided with the news of the cancellation of the Victorian Fury program and Australian Netball League season,” she said. “For me, I thought it was the end of my netball for 2020.
“It was a bit of a downer. When we moved forward to the Zoom training I also found that quite hard as I love netball and I love the environment. Going out on your own and not being able to see any teammates was hard.
“I guess it’s a catch 22. Obviously if things weren’t the way they are, I would still have the ANL season… but comes a new opportunity.”
Newton admits she and her teammates thought there was a time that they wouldn’t even get a season up and going, as bigger codes struggled to get there’s going.
Once the season was announced, Newton wasn’t even sure she would be part of it being a training partner.
It was a wait and see game, with the Vixens eventually deciding to take all four training partners, including Newton up to Queensland with the squad.
The City West Falcons defender said she didn’t hesitate to say yes when she was given the opportunity.
“Being away from home is hard, but I didn’t even hesitate. If that’s what I have to do that’s what you have to do.
“My partner was going away for work anyway, so we both said our goodbyes and we were off.”
Newton celebrated her official debut in round one, but it’s not the first time she had stepped on court for the Vixens.
While she spent less than a minute on court due to the blood rule a couple of seasons ago, the Vixens’ and Newton waited until she had proper court time to recognise the milestone.
“I didn’t do a whole lot [last time], so they’ve made this year the official debut since it’s been extended to that team of 12, so you feel more part of it which has been really good.
“It [round one] was really good. [Coach] Simone [McKinnis] came and said ‘be ready Jacqui as we’re going to look at putting you on’, so I was not too surprised.”
Newton has played in several games this season, including playing more than a quarter against the Queensland Firebirds.
Having been part of the Vixens program for three years, she’s starting to feel at home.
“Cause I have been around for a little bit, it changes from extreme nerves to anticipation and excitement. Obviously you get the game day jitters, but if someone was to say that I’m going on I won’t completely freak out.
“I love the Vixens, I’m just happy to be part of the program. I’m lucky to be here for three years, I’m enjoying it.”
Among her teammates at the Vixens is Australian goal defence Jo Weston.
Newton, who plays the same position, said she tries to learn as much as she came from Weston and new teammate Kate Eddy.
“It’s so interesting learning how other people play and what you can bring in from other people’s games, because Jo and I are obviously very different players, I love learning about what I can adapt and alter, so it’s good. “
Newton said there was still a lot unknown in the bubble, but it was teaching her how to adapt and cope with different situations.
The Vixens have fired early and again look set to be in the finals mix.
Personally, Newton isn’t putting any expectations on herself, but like her teammates is focused on a finals appearance.
“I’m happy to take any opportunity that comes,” she said. “The moment you expect what you should be getting, you get complacent.
“It will be good to build across the season. Obviously, with no match play, it was hard to know what round one would be like.
“Hopefully we build across the season and hopefully time finals come, we are peaking.”
