The 2021 season might be over, but the rise of young Millicent netball superstar Lucy Denton continues.

Denton received the surprise of her lifetime last week when she was named as one of 36 players selected in the 17 and Under Australian team which will complete a series of training sessions at the elite level in December.

The gifted 17-year-old has been rewarded with state selections in the past, but this is the first time she has received an opportunity at national level.

Denton said the announcement took her by surprise and has only just come to grips with the achievement.

“I was caught off guard because we did not get to play at nationals, so I was not expecting a squad to be announced,” she said.

“We got an email a week before it got announced, so I spent a day or two realising it was actually the Australian squad.

“It is nice to know all the hard work I have done this year is paying off.

“It is definitely my proudest achievement and took a while to sink in.”

The Millicent youngster is following in the footsteps of ex-Saints player Natalie Medhurst and Tantanoola’s Jane Altschwager whose careers peaked with selection in the Australian team.

Details are not completely clear as to what lies ahead for the national team, with a chance to work with the best in the business at the Australian Institute of Sport the big hope.

However, if COVID-19 restrictions continue to linger around Denton will train alongside the six other South Australian athletes in Adelaide.

The training camps will provide the selected athletes an opportunity to develop their abilities at an elite level.

Earlier this year Denton was picked in the South Australian Under 17 team and the 12-player squad was hoping to defend its crown at the National Championships.

However, the competition supposed to take place at Hobart in July was not possible which was not only a huge disappointment for Denton and her teammates, but also the Australian under age selection panel.

The panel made up of National Centre of Excellence Head Coach and Australian Diamonds selector Michelle Wilkins, plus Jenny Borlase and Nicole Cusack usually get a gauge of the next generation at the National Championships.

But with no on-court action at a national level they had to go off instinct from club performances on the court and the training efforts off it.

The fact the national selectors still picked country girl Denton based off the youngster’s sheer determination to work hard at every aspect of her game is not lost on the Millicent Saint.

“The selectors did not get to see me actually play at nationals so knowing they saw what I can do off the court and picked me, is pretty good,” she said.

Denton said her family had sacrificed a lot to reach this level.

For example they would travel to Adelaide straight after playing two high-energy Western Border games for Millicent to train with the state squad.

The youngster said those are the lengths she goes to perfect her game on a weekly basis.

“Leading up to Nationals I was travelling to Adelaide every Saturday night to train on Sunday before heading back home, so I thank my mum and dad so much for travelling eight hours for 10 weeks in a row and giving me the opportunity,” Denton said.

“I also have the two training sessions a week for Millicent in the Western Border and doing a couple of runs and other fitness sessions for myself.”

The national call up came off the back of a hectic time for Denton, who played in the 17 and Under and A Grade Western Border Netball Association grand finals.

Sadly the A Grade did not go to plan with the Saints forced to give up their stranglehold on the premiership to East Gambier in heartbreaking fashion during extra time.

It was Denton’s ninth grand final, but her first ever defeat.

Despite the disappointment, she was proud of how her teammates conducted themselves in a new era for the Millicent Netball Club.

“Having Hayley (Dunn) and mum (Donna Denton) off the court but still on the sidelines made our side a bit inexperienced for the A Grade level,” Denton said.

“I felt I had a bigger responsibility running through the centre which was a really good experience.

“It was very hard to lose in overtime, but I am just proud of how we grew as a team.

“During the season we had to play out of position and players pulled out, so the progress was amazing to see because so many people doubted us.

“It would have been great to get the win, but I am just proud of how hard we fought.”

The loss was also an end of a significant chapter in Denton’s career as she prepares to pack her bags and move to Adelaide next year.

Not only is it a big moment in her personal life with year 12 on the horizon, but she will also take the leap on the court from fronting Millicent at McLaughlin Park to playing on the state stage for Garville.

“I am very excited, but a little nervous now it is getting closer,” Denton said.

“My Millicent Saints journey has been one hell of a ride and it has been great to have so much success.

“It will be a step up from country netball, but having played A Grade this year and getting the experience of playing on an amazing player like Emily Hunter will help me against those bigger bodies in the Premier League.

“It will be a challenge, but I am up for it.”