JESSICA Lees has her heart set on representing Australia.
The Carey Baptist College Year 12 student enjoys competing in a number of sports including swimming, athletics, beach volleyball and soccer, but it is netball where the young star hopes to one day pull on the green and gold and play for her country.
A member of Southern Districts’ Zodiacs Netball Club as well as the South East Demons in the state league, Jessica said netball was a big part of her life.
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READ NOW“I love being outdoors and pushing my body to the limit,” she said.
“There are obviously limits to me going to the Olympics with netball not being an Olympic sport, however I will continue to dream to make it to the next level of my netball and any sport that comes across my path.
“I am willing to undertake anything to get to the top, I will take my body to the limit, and hopefully continue representing the state.”
Jessica was one of 43 WA students recently recognised with a Pierre de Coubertin Award for Sportsmanship from the Australian Olympic Committee for her dedication to excellence and sportsmanship.
She said she was “so excited” when she found out she had won the award.
“Often a lot of the work is not recognised, sometimes it is nice to be awarded, that someone has seen that hard work that I have put in over so many years,” she said.
“We all have our goals and motivation that we strive for however it is nice to get that extra push and encouragement to keep fighting for what we love and adore.”
Other Local Pierre de Coubertin Award recipients
Pieter Jacobsz: Thornlie Christian College (Athletics and Swimming)
Oliver Bownds: Kelmscott SHS (Football and Athletics)
Katie Smith: Armadale Senior High School (Athletics and Swimming)
Kate Inglis-Hodge: Serpentine Jarrahdale Grammar School (AFLW and basketball)