After conquering the youth scene at Kyabram, teenage prodigy Maggie Guinan is quickly taking the Goulburn Valley League’s A-grade by storm, earning her Shepparton News’ GVL Netball Rising Star Award for July.

The 16-year-old appears to take pressure and expectation in her stride, having already made a significant impression with her steely defensive displays while turning out for the Budgies Indigenous team.

Her talents on the court have enabled the youngster to look very much at home representing the Budgies at tournaments in locations as far afield as New Zealand in recent times as her rise to prominence shows no sign of letting up.

As well as this trip overseas with the First Nations side, she has also lined up with her teammates in GVL Interleague, Bendigo North East Academy and Shepparton Netball Association competitions.

Her spectacular showings are made all the more impressive after she battled back from injury which caused her to miss nearly a year of action - all before announcing herself as a future star of the Bombers’ A Grade set-up.

This year alone, Guinan has appeared 22 times across three separate grades, while juggling her Year 10 studies at St Augustine's College and part-time work off the court.

Despite her tender age, the defender has not looked out of place during her eight appearances in the Bombers’ senior side and she continues to be an ever-present for the 17-and-unders too.

Across the month of July, the budding talent has been a defensive mainstay for Kyabram, appearing in all four quarters in clashes against Rochester, Tatura and Echuca.

Having fulfilled roles as goal keeper and goal defence over the past three weeks, it is clear that Guinan is a versatile option for Bombers head coach Emma Quinn, who has been impressed with the prospect’s development this term.

Speaking to the News about her protégé’s progress in the A-grade set-up, Quinn praised the teenager for the impact she has made down at Kyabram Recreation Reserve during her breakout campaign.

“She is a wonderful kid, the way she approaches everything speaks to her maturity,” she said.

“She is willing to get out there and be unfazed by a physical opponent and give it her best - if anything, she’s almost surprised herself a little bit this year.

“To her credit, she is very unwavered, as someone of her age would generally be overawed by an occasion but she’s really stepped up and relished it — she goes out with a nothing to lose attitude.”

As for the youngster’s experiences of representing the Budgies, Quinn is convinced that the player has been able to bring everything she has learned back to Kyabram - standing her in good stead for A Grade duty.

“She relishes every opportunity and takes on board feedback, I think the exposure to higher level netball has served her well.

“Quite often, Maggie has been the most impactful defender and youngest defender we’ve had on court (this season) in terms of turnovers and pressure applied.

“She understands that physicality is one of her strengths, as well has her work-rate.”

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Friday, 29th July 2033

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