From Local Courts to the Special Olympics: Meet Emily Edwards'

For many people, sport is about competition. For others, it's about friendship, confidence, and finding a place to belong. For Emily Edwards, netball has become so much more, it has become a source of strength, community, and hope.

Emily's journey into netball began in the simplest way. A friend encouraged her to find a sport, and that suggestion changed her life. She discovered all abilities netball at Dingley Junior Netball Club, where she quickly fell in love with the game. As her confidence and skills grew, she joined the Bayside District Netball Association, continuing to challenge herself and improve every time she stepped onto the court.

When asked about her favourite positions, Emily didn't hesitate. Goal Shooter (GS) and Goal Attack (GA) are where she feels most at home. These positions allow her to contribute to her team's success while doing what she enjoys most, shooting goals and working closely with her teammates.

But for Emily, netball is about much more than the game itself.

"My favourite thing about the sport is how it brings people together like it's a family," she shared. "I just think netball can bring a community together."

That sense of belonging has been a huge part of Emily's journey. The friendships, encouragement, and support she has found within the netball community have made every training session and game even more meaningful.

Although Emily only started playing netball just over a year ago, her achievements have been remarkable. This year, she competed at the State Titles and took part in the Next Generation NetFit Saints Program, where she continued to develop her skills. Wanting to keep improving, she reached out to Netball Victoria to ask about further competitions and opportunities.

The response she received was one she never expected.

Netball Victoria invited Emily to represent Victoria at the Special Olympics.

"I snatched that up," she said with excitement.

Being selected to represent Victoria is a significant achievement and reflects Emily's determination, commitment, and willingness to embrace every opportunity to grow as an athlete.

Alongside her sporting success, netball has also played a life-changing role in Emily's personal health journey. Living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), she says the sport has had an incredible impact on her wellbeing.

"Netball is like my medication for my FND. It's helped me so much."

Emily's story is a powerful reminder that sport can transform lives in ways that go far beyond physical fitness. It can build confidence, create lifelong friendships, and provide strength through life's challenges.

Looking ahead, Emily has set herself an ambitious goal, to one day represent Australia. Considering everything she has achieved in just over a year, her determination and passion suggest that this dream is well within reach if she continues on her current path.

Every athlete has someone they look up to, and for Emily, that person is Sophie Garbin, the Melbourne Vixens' star Goal Shooter. Sophie inspires Emily to keep working hard, develop her game, and believe in herself every time she steps onto the court.

From taking a friend's advice to representing Victoria at the Special Olympics, Emily Edwards' journey is one of courage, resilience, and determination. Her story shows that with the support of a welcoming community and the confidence to seize opportunities, incredible things are possible. Emily's journey is an inspiration to athletes of all abilities and a reminder that sometimes the greatest victories happen long before the final whistle.