At 15 Arrin Stiratt-Black's world revolves around sport, which is her great passion, and at which she excels ... be it netball, swimming, touch footy or athletics.
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The news she had been named the Nambucca Valley's Junior Sportswoman of the Year did however come as a big surprise, hearing it as she did on the way home from training.
"It's exciting ... and surprising," Arrin told the Guardian News as she relaxed between training sessions for swimming and netball, in spite of the holidays.
"I really enjoy training and competing ... and yes, I would like to pursue sport as a career when the time comes."
Last year Arrin was the school champion at Macksville High School in athletics, swimming and cross country.
She represented the school at the National Netball Championships and the school's Under 15s team placed sixth in the NSW Knockout finals. She was also in the North Coast team at the NSW State School championships for swimming, athletics and netball.
She was the only player in the NSW Combined High Schools Netball side from a small country town, all the others coming from Sydney (9) and Newcastle (2).
Her sporting prowess received recognition from the North Coast School Sport Association.
Outside school her hard work won her a place at the North Coast Academy of Sport for netball, of which she is quietly very proud.
"I really wanted to make it into the Academy - there are so many training opportunities on offer with them and I get to play with and against the best teams statewide.
"It's also been great because I've made some good friends along the way."
Last year she was awarded Most Improved Netballer as well as being selected in the Emerging Talent Training Squad for Netball NSW.
Her role model is retired Australian player Renae Hallinan (now Ingles).
Arrin is a member of the Nambucca Aquatic Swim Club and has competed at State and Country Championships, breaking the North Coast 14 years 50m butterfly record ... her favourite stroke (inspired by Emma McKeon).
"Butterfly is the hardest, which is why I like it."
Recently she had to make the tough decision to hang up her touch footy boots (she was a member of the Macksville Falcons Under 18s team) due to a lack of time.
We congratulate you Arrin and wish you well on the netball court and in the pool.
Also making the news:
Ute Schulenberg
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
Journalism was always my plan but plans being what they are, I did not get to realise it until my early 40s ... and have loved every minute since. For me community journalism is the most intimate and honest place to be in this field - telling the stories of people I live with, side-by-side, every day. It is an honour.
