For the past eight years, she has occupied the circle, shooting and defending for her team.

Now, in 2017, her skills are being recognised at a higher level.

She was recently selected in the Hunter Region Independent Schools (HRIS) team to contest the Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES) competition next month.

To qualify, Bowditch traveled to Newcastle with her mother to trial in front of a panel.

And, to her delight, she was chosen from about 50 contenders to join the team of nine in Sydney, on May 16.

“I was really excited; I couldn’t really believe it,” she said.

“It was overwhelming.”

The 14-year-old was the only Upper Hunter pupil selected and, as such, will have to work on her own training leading up to the event.

The other girls, who she will meet at the competition, are from the Newcastle area, and their separated locations make training as a team a difficulty.

On arrival, she will join in two training sessions before competition begins.

Thrilled parents Mark and Tina are delighted with her progress in the sport.

“We’re really proud of her getting through to this,” her mother said.

“And, her commitment to it.

“She’s going ahead leaps and bounds and she’s got a good coach here – in Sarah Watson.

“She’s only 14 and in the [HRIS] under-15’s side.”

While it is a big step for the Muswellbrook teenager, she doesn’t want it to be her final representative competition.

Her love of the game is likely to keep her in the sport, and it is something she would like to do when finished school if possible.

“I want to keep playing,’ she said.

With the 2017 netball season fast approaching, she will have plenty of opportunity to fine-tune her skills for further competition.

Bowditch is a member of the Muswellbrook representative 14’s side, who will compete at the state championships in July, as well as the Scone Grammar School team.

AICES celebrates 20 years of operation in 2017.

It is now the largest of the CIS Associations with 75 schools and more than 26,000 students.