WHEN Soldiers Point twins Bella and Gemma Edwards rocked up to watch elder sister Sophie shoot goals for her local team at the Nelson Bay Netball Association (NBNA) courts as fresh-faced eight-year-olds, they were more than impressed.
Admiring their sibling’s prowess under the ring, the regular roll ups piqued the twins’ interest and lit a spark for the pair as their passion for the sport of netball grew daily.
Eager to join their older sister on court, mum Hannah wasted no time in registering her excited twin daughters in the Nelson Bay Association’s “Net Set Go” program.
Three years down the track and the Edwards siblings are touted as three of the brightest prospects in the Port Stephens region.
Fourteen-year-old Sophie is a talented goal attack with a penchant for notching goals who has represented Nelson Bay at the Netball NSW State Age Junior championships.
She was a key figure in this year’s Nelson Bay combined Under 13/14yrs Development squad at various junior representative carnivals and one to watch during the upcoming club finals in both the NBNA and Maitland associations.
A Year 8 student at Tomaree High School, Sophie will line up for the SuperNovas in the NBNA Cadets 15-17yrs competition and for her Medowie club in the Maitland series.
Her sharp play on court can be linked to her other sporting love – touch football.
Sophie and Bella maintain their fitness all year round with regular games of touch and show plenty of potential.
When it comes to being tutored on the finer points of netball, the twins have learnt from two of the best in Nelson Bay representative coaches Linda Jones and Ashlee Hall.
Both goal attack Bella and goalkeeper Gemma are spearheads in the all-conquering Stingrays team coached by Linda that is currently leading the NBNA Junior 11yrs competition.
Experienced mentor Ashlee, who coached the pair in this year’s Nelson Bay Under 11 Development squad, told News Of The Area that the twins are a “double whammy” for any team they play for.
“With Bella up front creating and scoring goals as a goal attack/shooter and Gemma adding plenty of starch in defence with her intercepts and rebounds the sisters are an asset,” reflected Ashlee, who is also in charge of the Senior Opens representative squad.
“They are skilful and fierce competitors on court with a strong work ethic and always in the contest. You’ll find Bella and Gemma in the thick of the action and they read each other’s play so well,” she revealed.
“Not only do the twins show a maturity that belies their years but I like the fact that when they turn a ball over they work very hard to get it back,” Ashlee added.
As well as her sharp shooting, Bella’s vision and passing skills were instrumental for many a Nelson Bay victory in her debut junior representative campaign during 2025.
At the other end of the court, Gemma proved a powerhouse and a “rock” in the defensive unit with her never-say-die attitude and bustling style of play.
Tenacity is a word that best sums up the sisters, who attend Soldiers Point Public School.
With the Edwards twins at the top of their game alongside talented representative team mates Sailor Jenkins, Jacinta Scott, Amarli Buckton, Bonnie Preston, Isla Trayling and Cassia Stallard the Stingrays will prove formidable opponents in the NBNA finals series.
And it spells double trouble for rivals if Bella and Gemma produce the goods.
By Chris KARAS
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