South Australian emerging talent Maisie Nankivell has capped off a stellar 2020 season as the Suncorp Super Netball Rebel Rising Star – Young Player of the Year Award.
In her first year as a permanent contracted player, the 21-year-old made her mark on the competition as a triple threat in the Adelaide Thunderbirds midcourt.
On Wednesday night, December 16, she was named the Rebel Rising Star at the 2020 Australian Netball Awards.
Playing all 14 games across centre, wing defence and wing attack, she finished the year on 775.5 Nissan Net Points (NNP), with 157 assists, 16 intercepts and 29 deflections.
Nankivell made two appearances in the NNP Team of the Year, once in wing defence and once in wing attack – again proving her versatility.
She was also crowned dual Club Champion for the Adelaide Thunderbirds alongside Jamaican star Shamera Sterling.
Reflecting on the significant achievement, Nankivell said she was pleasantly surprised to receive the honour given the calibre of young talent in the SSN.
“I was so shocked but so excited and honoured at the same time,” Nankivell said.
“Just talking to a couple of the other girls my age, there’s so much talent in Australia it’s crazy.
“It could have gone to so many others in the competition so I’m really proud of my efforts.”
