User:Rebecca/Drafts/Rebecca Strachan
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Rebecca Strachan (born August 18, 1982) is an Australian netball player. She is currently the co-captain of the Melbourne Kestrels in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy, having been appointed to the position after the shock defection of Cynna Kydd in April 2006. A talented defender, Strachan underwent a rapid rise from schoolgirls' netball to become the inaugural captain of the AIS Canberra Darters development team and then on to success with the Kestrels, but has so far been unable to break into the national team despite a number of close calls.
Strachan was raised in Bendigo, Victoria and first began playing netball at the age of eight. She won her first major break when she was selected in the state schoolgirls' netball team at 15, and two years later, was picked for the Victorian Institute of Sport's under-17 development squad. She juggled high school commitments with a rapidly growing netball career, combining studies at Bendigo Senior Secondary College with regular matches in the second division of the Dairy Farmers State League for the Melbourne-based Victoria University Flames. She was picked in the national under-17 squad while in Year 11, and was selected on the list of the Melbourne Kestrels in the national league for the 2000 season, while still in Year 12. This saw her follow in the footsteps of older sister Meredith Ball, who was also in the Kestrels side.
Strachan saw very limited court time in her first Kestrels season, as she was still only seventeen, but had the chance to make her national league debut, and was described as having "enormous potential" by the Herald Sun. She was named in the state open team for the national championships at the end of 2000, and was subsequently named in the national under-21 squad, which saw her gain a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport.
As an AIS scholarship holder, Strachan began playing with the national development team, the AIS Keas in the South Australian state competition, the Dairy Farmers Cup. She soon became a mainstay of the side, establishing a reputation as an effective defender, and was called up for several matches with the Kestrels when released from national duties by then-AIS coach Norma Plummer. She was promoted to vice-captain of the Keas for the 2002 season, and was again among the team's most successful in her second year. The AIS contract with the South Australian league expired at the end of that year, and Strachan was one of 13 players picked from the larger squad of 22 to play in the Keas' replacement, the AIS Canberra Darters, who would instead play in the main national league. Strachan received a further bonus when she was named as captain of the new Darters team.
- Apr 22 2003 - At today's (national) season launch of the 2003 National Netball League, the team's trump signing and captain former Melbourne Kestrels player Rebecca Strachan, took a dive into Sydney Aquarium's shark tank to symbolise just what the team will be up against this season. - team struggled due to inexperience (though with some notable wins), but Strachan as most experienced player often praised - 2003 - on board of the Australian Netball Players' Association; again selected in state open team - Aug 2003 in U-21 team to play NZ - Oct 2003 - named in national open squad for first time - returned to Kestrels for 2004 season, having become too old for AIS (21 min), playing the occasional state game for VU/Brimbank - started 2004 season well, again repeatedly praised for performances - some ankle problems in may/june/july - still playing exceptionally despite ankle - August - challenged by Darters - was set to get more court time after Ilitch pregnancy - 2004 in state open team, again with sister (now playing for VUT-Brimbank); named captain - 2004 - second year studying sports coaching and administration at Deakin's Burwood campus; resides in Mont Albert these days - dropped from national team when squad cut (injuries and inconsistency) - Feb 2005 - on national standby when Alison Broadbent injured - at top form in early 2005; took likes of Cath Cox to seriously challenge her; matched most of the league's top goalers - June 2005 - one of three invitees to join the national squad in training - August 2005 - dominated controversial recruit Wipiiti to win Kestrels finals spot - Sep 2005 - named in national open squad again (having missed out for 2005) - note that Neele also had a brief recall here - ranked second in the league in deflections and intercepts (behind Ellis); Kestrels MVP for the season, and appointed to leadership group - cut from side to tour New Zealand for Commonwealth Games (as with Neele) (Ellis and Broadbent occupying lead GK and GD positions); called in in October due to Ellis' injury); rushed to Jamaica for three-test series there (still uncapped in Tests at this point); didn't play a game in Jamaica, being beaten out by Chatfield - named in squad of 15 for Comm Games as selectors tried to introduce new talent and cut a number of players in the hope of curbing Kiwi dominance; cut from final 12 - named as co-captain (with Chelsey Nash) of Kestrels after Neele's shock departure
