She’s now training and competing alongside the idols she grew up watching and while GIANTS young gun Monika ‘Otai admits there were initial fears she was out of her depth, the talented teen says she’s now more motivated than ever to make it to the top level.
A former GIANTS Netball Academy product, ‘Otai is one of the country’s most promising young stars, having captained Australia to gold in their debut at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Tobago last year.
‘Otai’s progression through Australia’s netball ranks saw the 18-year-old goal shooter recently elevated as a GIANTS training partner for the upcoming Super Suncorp Netball season.
Just months into her new lifestyle as part of the world’s best domestic netball competition, the Sydney teenager admits it took time to settle her nerves but says she’s now more determined than ever to become the best player she can be.
“It was kind of unexpected [to be named a training partner] but I’m very happy to be in this environment and training against weapons like Jodi-Ann [Ward] and being pushed by them is amazing,” the young star said.
“At the start I was so nervous all the time and I just was kind of hesitant with my own ability,” she admitted.
“I was like ‘wow, that’s Tilly McDonell, I cannot play against her.’ She’s someone I’ve been watching on tv for ages and so it was a bit daunting going up against her for sure.
“But then after a while I sort of took a step back and thought to myself, I have nothing to lose and I’m still young, I still have a lot to work on, and that being a training partner is a great opportunity and that I have to grab it with two hands and see what happens.
“Obviously being in this environment is a big step up but I want to keep pushing myself and put 110 per cent into training and keep soaking up all the info and do anything I can to improve.
“Playing ‘SSN’ [Super Suncorp Netball] is something I’m striving towards and it doesn’t really matter for me how long it takes to get there, I just know I want to be there.”
‘Otai, who is also studying psychology and sports science at the Australian Catholic University, says she’s already seen several improvements since joining the team as a training partner late last year.
“This space has improved my mental state as well as physically,” she said.
“I feel way stronger than this time last year, I’m hitting ‘PBs’ [personal bests] in the gym and with my endurance, and I’m hitting my nutritional goals.
“Then my confidence on the court has improved as well. Playing with players like Jodi-Ann and watching players like Jo Harten has helped me really soak everything in and it’s really inspired me to keep going.”
Also recently named the NSW U19 state team captain for the upcoming National Championships in April, ‘Otai says she’s coping the best she ever has with juggling her hectic schedule, consisting of her study and commitments with GIANTS, the state U19 side, and the NSW Premier League competition.
“I’ve gotten the hang of it,” she laughed.
“Last year was a big year for me and then on top of that I had commitments with Australia at the Youth Commonwealth Games but I think I’m managing it all much better now.
“I have a great support team with managers and other people who are supporting me around all my commitments and I’ve got my [drivers] licence now which is great as that helps a lot.
“I no longer have to wake up at 5am to catch a train to training which is pretty great.”
'Otai and the GIANTS will continue their pre-season preparations with upcoming games in Ballarat this weekend, as well the league’s official pre-season tournament – Suncorp Team Girls Cup – which will be held at Ken Rosewall Arena from 22-24 March.
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