Growing up in a competitive, sports-mad family, Lara played nearly every sport before discovering netball at 13, a moment that inspired her to give up all other activities and fully commit to the game. With parents who drove thousands of kilometres to support her dreams, she learned early what dedication really means. Lara reflects on missing teams, changing positions, moving interstate, and the hard work required to keep pursuing a goal. She also shares how coaching and teaching fuel her passion for helping the next generation find confidence and joy in the sport.

What sports did you play when you were growing up?

Growing up, I played heaps of different sports: basketball, tennis, badminton, swimming, football, ballet and dancing. I used to do a lot. I was 13 years old when I started playing netball and had to sacrifice playing all the other sports.  

Your Dad played professional AFL for the Swans, had an incredible career, and both of your brothers have gone on to play AFL. How did you find netball with all that AFL heritage and exposure?

Obviously, growing up in a really sporty family, you kind of feel like you need to play sport, but I just loved every aspect of playing and being active. It was my Aunty, my Dad’s sister, who introduced me to netball. She had seen me play basketball, and she was like, “All right, Lara, I reckon you should give netball a go”. I actually asked Mum and Dad, and they initially said no because I played too many other sports. But there was one day when I got off the school bus and my Aunty was there waiting with a pair of her shorts and runners, and we went to a netball session, and when I stood on that court I just wanted to be a part of that team. But I had to say goodbye to all the other sports, and I sacrificed everything to play netball.

Your parents drove thousands of kilometres each week for yours, Josh’s, and Kyle’s training sessions. How did that support go on to shape your journey so far?

If it weren’t for Mum and Dad, none of us would be in the position we are now. We were super lucky that we had really good direction from them growing up and I think as we got older, we realised how much they actually sacrificed for us as well. I think, the little sacrifices like studying in the car, because I was in the car four times a week, travelling to Melbourne, and it was a two-and-a-half-hour drive there and a two-and-a-half-hour drive back – teaches you lessons around if you really want something, you’ve got to go for it, but you’ve got to be prepared to make those sacrifices.

In terms of your netball pathway experience, you tried three years in a row for the state team as a goalie. Can you tell us a little bit more about that experience and what prompted the change in position?

I grew up playing goal attack and goal shooter, both locally, and I loved playing in the goals. Now my job is to feed the goalers, but at the time I went through the pathway as a goal attack and had the opportunity to play State League in Melbourne, and then I had the chance to trial for the state team and at that time I didn’t make it, I actually didn’t even make the top 50. Then, there were two years after that, and I didn’t make the team in either of those years and at the time I thought maybe this is where my netball journey ends, but I was just fortunate that my state league coach at the time moved me from goal attack to wing attack. Then from there I had the opportunity to trial the following year, so the fourth time in a row and I finally made my first state team at age 19.

With missing teams repeatedly, you can definitely just give up and go the easy way, but I was determined to see how far I could go, and I think playing a new position gave me a lot of opportunities to see where I could go with netball.

How do you go about applying feedback from coaches?

I think receiving feedback from coaches is amazing. If a coach has something to tell you, it’s a good thing; it’s not a bad thing because it just makes you a better player and you really get to learn and grow as a netballer.

I think for me it’s making sure that you’re listening to your coach, and taking in the feedback and then you’re going and working on it.

Moving to Queensland to chase your netball dream was key decision that you’ve made. What were you considering when you made that decision and how did that opportunity come about?

Moving to Queensland was a massive decision in my life. I’d been going through the Netball Victoria pathway, and after making my first state team I played in the Australian netball league. Then from there I got an opportunity to be a training partner with the Vixens. So, I’d really grown in that environment and developed my netball, so moving to Queensland was a huge decision. The opportunity was to come to Queensland and replace an injured player. At the time, I didn’t want to leave all my family and friends, but it was one of those opportunities that if you didn’t say yes, you’d probably wonder about it for the rest of your life. I’m super grateful that I took that opportunity and moved up to Queensland.

Within the netball community, who have been those teammates and the mentors that have had the most impact on your career?

I’m super grateful for all the coaches I’ve had; for me, being exposed to a variety of teams with different coaches really helped me as a player. I’ve learned so much from Simone McInnes at the Vixens, Di Honey, and Nicole Richardson. Having the opportunity to come to Queensland and play under Rose Jenke was also a really great opportunity for me. I just absolutely loved the environment and the players that I’ve been able to play with.

 You’ve had an incredible career, but so far, what has been your top highlight in netball?

I feel like every game is a new highlight, and when I look back at everything I’ve done, I’m super grateful for the opportunity I’ve have.

But my highlight so far in netball was this one game, it was my first year here at the Firebirds, and it was a State of Origin match against the Swifts, and we were so underrated to even win the game. But I remember it being so tight and we ended up winning and I think it was my first full game of netball so it was really special.

What has been your biggest challenge in netball and what did you learn and how did you overcome it?

Managing injuries or niggles that I’ve had has been difficult, I’m super grateful I haven’t had too many big injuries, I had a lot more when I was younger like I hyper-extended my knee, broke my ankle. I think you can look at injuries as a sad time but you’ve got to move forward and focus on rehab and recovery to get on to the next game, training or season. Another key challenge was moving away from my friends and family, taking that step forward was definitely one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced.

Obviously, games and or tournaments, or the seasons don’t always end in the results that we want. When you’re in a game and your team is down, what’s your process?

That’s definitely challenging and over the last couple of seasons, we haven’t won many games. So, it’s about developing that “never give up attitude” when you’re on the court, no matter what the score is, you have to break it down and think that although you haven’t had a good half you can refocus for the next quarter. It’s also about connecting with your teammates and trying to do the best that you can for that game or that season and using your voice to stay connected to celebrate those little wins.

As a Playbook athlete prepares for games, trials, or tournaments, what tips do you have for managing pressure or stress in the lead-up to a big game?

I think nerves are a good thing, it’s just a matter of working out what works best for you. For me, I’m more of a relaxed person before a game, I don’t want to be thinking too much about what I have to do on court. So it’s about taking in the processes and making sure you prepare really well. But when it comes to game day, I still get nervous, but you have to know that it’s a good thing because it means you care about your performance, the team’s performance, and the results.

What would you say are those top three tips that you share when you’re working with those younger netball players?

I think if you really want something or you want to achieve something or play at a level or be really good at school you’ve got to be prepared to work super hard and never give up, but also be prepared to make the sacrifices to get better.

And at the same time too, not overthinking things and enjoying it as well is important.

It’s very clear from your playbook reviews that you’re a really engaged coach. Does coaching influence your own game?

Yeah, absolutely. I love being that role model for the next generation. It’s super exciting to have the passion for the game and be able to share that with the younger generation; it’s super special to me. I love being able to do my one-on-ones with PlayBook or group sessions because you get to teach them what you’re learning at training. I also think it’s super important to let them learn and then share that knowledge with their team.

They definitely motivate me to play 100%, and there’s nothing better than attending a coaching session and making someone’s day. It’s really rewarding, because that was once me.

And I love having the opportunity to coach whilst playing at the top level.

Love reading about netball journeys? Read more about Ruby Bakewell-Doran, Kiera Austin or Paige Hadley