For as long as she can remember, Ella Smith has looked up to the Australian Diamonds netball team.
Now, the 10-year-old Wangi Waves player can say she's starred alongside them.
Ella, along with Dakodah Mariri, 11, of Morisset, has featured in an Origin television commercial alongside a host of Diamonds stars, including Liz Watson, Jo Weston, Courtney Bruce, Gabi Simpson and coach Stacey Marinkovic.
The commercial has aired to coincide with the Constellation Cup between Australia and New Zealand, which concludes over the weekend with games three and four in Christchurch.
"I've been watching the Diamonds ever since I was a little girl so it's pretty amazing to think I'll be starring alongside them on TV," Ella said. "There were cameras, projectors and people filming everywhere. It was very exciting and I'm really happy how it went."
Dakodah said she's been playing netball since she was seven and found the sport easy to pick up and enjoy.
"The whole experience was pretty cool. It will be my first time on TV so I was a little nervous, but I feel confident I did everything I needed to do," she said.
Diamond Gabi Simpson was thrilled to be involved, noting the importance of supporting young netball players.
"Growing up I would have loved this opportunity," she said.
"Netball is at the core of many Australian communities, so it's a privilege to be able to connect with young players to share some of my own experiences in the hope that they will be inspired to continue with the sport."
