My Dad is former rugby league star, Steve Price and my uncle is Brent Tate.

Both played State of Origin football for Queensland and represented Australia in multiple World Cup campaigns.

I had the privilege of having front row seats at all their representative games as I was growing up; watching them both strive towards the highest heights in rugby league was very special.

I cheered loudest after every win and was right by their side during the lows of their careers.

Watching how they dealt with not only the successes but failures as well, was enormous for my journey into elite sport.

I couldn’t have asked for two better mentors to guide me through my own journey into netball.

Both Dad and uncle Brent are always giving me constructive feedback when I need it and at times even cheer louder than I did when I was the spectator in the grandstands!

Dad has always been one of my greatest supporters – he’s not only my Dad but also my coach and my best friend along with my Mum when it comes to getting the best out of me.

It all started when we first moved over to New Zealand in 2005.

Dad had signed with the New Zealand Warriors, after 222 games over ten seasons with the Canterbury Bulldogs.

At the time, I was in primary school; it was tough, being so young and moving to a new country and making new friends. But looking back, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

New Zealand, it’s actually a really good place to grow up, I just loved how everyone is so nice.

It is hard to find the words. The culture there is great – it really is like everyone just became our family over there and as the years went by my confidence grew and grew.

In my final year of high school – I trialled for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic. I was 17 at the time and I got the opportunity to train and play with the team.

Mid way through the season I got an opportunity to sit on the bench and got a quarter against the NSW Swifts. I played against the great Kim Green, who is now my teammate, it was very intimidating but was a moment I will never forget.

I was in the New Zealand system for a number of years.

But there was no hesitation for me – I watched my Dad and Uncle represent Australia in test matches, and the whole time all I could think about was “How great would it be if one day that could be me? Wearing the green and gold in a netball arena!”.

So when I recently received the squad call from Diamonds coach, Lisa Alexander, I nearly freaked out!

It was a Tuesday morning when all the girls received their calls informing they had made the 17-person squad. I was hopeful of a spot, but I wasn’t overly optimistic.

I was told the whole process is that if you get a call, then it is good news – if you don’t hear from Lisa though, then you haven’t made the squad.

So I was kind of waiting all day for a phone call and it wasn’t until the late afternoon when she finally did, which was really daunting!

Obviously, once I got the call my emotions took over, I was really excited and my heart was racing.

When Lisa told me that I’ve made the squad, I was just super excited.

Obviously, it’s just the squad and they won’t announce teams until after the Grand Final, but at least I’ve been given the opportunity to potentially make the team, which is cool. But I know the hard work doesn’t stop and I have a lot to work on.

Even cooler though was calling Dad and the rest of my family, to share in the good news.

It was really… I don’t know how to explain it, but it was a proud moment because when I was making the decision to come back to Australia, it was super tough at the time.

I was taking the risk of starting all over again, leaving the New Zealand system to come and start afresh with the Giants Netball team.

I was in the New Zealand Under 21 squad. But when the Super Netball competition started and the Trans-Tasman governing body decided to split the New Zealand-based team, Julie Fitzgerald, who is my coach now, but was coaching at the Magic, approached me after our last game and asked, “Would you be interested in moving to Australia?”.

I was like, “Oh, actually, like …” And then, also, my family were thinking of moving back to Australia as well, but to the Sunshine Coast.

So it was a good opportunity for me, just, not to start fresh, but obviously, the risk of me starting a whole new life and a whole new career. It was something exciting and I knew if I made the move I wouldn’t have any regrets.

I thought netball-wise it would be the best thing for me, because I knew that I was going to be in the best competition in the world.

And at the end of the day, I want to be the best netballer that I can be. And I want to be the best person that I can be.

Being closer to family I hope will only be a good luck charm.