Natalie confident ahead of Commonwealth Games

Adelaide Thunderbirds mid court player, Natalie von Bertouch, is one of 12 players selected to represent at Australia at next month’s Commonwealth Games.

With the final squad of 12 players announced last Friday at the AIS in Canberra, the announcement of the team was actually made whilst they were training under Coach Norma Plummer.

“We were training, so my mobile (phone) didn’t come in handy,” said von Bertouch.

von Bertouch is one player who is always happy to have her named called out when a team is announced for any match and this is even if her name is called out last most of the time.

“It’s always good to hear my name called out, even if it’s usually the last one.”

Several senior players will be out of action for the Commonwealth Games including Liz Ellis and Eloise Southby-Halbish, but von Bertouch believes the younger players in the squad can fill the void during the tournament.

“We’re very confident; there is a lot of youth in there (the squad).”

Goaler Sharelle McMahon will captain Australia at the Commonwealth Games in place of Ellis and von Bertouch believes she is more than capable of leading the team.

“Sharelle has plenty of experience and she’s more than confident of doing well (at the Commonwealth Games).”

At just 23, von Bertouch is one of the youngest players in the team selected for Melbourne.

“I’m only 23 and it’s absolutely amazing (to compete at the Commonwealth Games).”

Netball is a sport which has long struggled to gain the attention of Australia’s sport public outside of the Commonwealth Games, but von Bertouch thinks that this is changing.

“We (the Australian team) are becoming more well known and the support (we receive) is fantastic.”

Australia is drawn in group B of the netball tournament and kicks off its Gold medal defence against Wales on March 17.