The 15-year-old began playing in 2016 and has since established herself as one of the state’s most promising talents, playing for St Helens Clovers and regularly travelling to train and turn out for Cavaliers’ under-16 side. 

Dufty’s recent selection in the state under-15 team came as a surprise not of itself, but because she was chosen as a shooter instead of her favoured position in defence. 

“I’m enjoying it,” Dufty said of her new role.

“I did (shooting) a bit at club but I’ve never really taken it too far because I’ve always been told I’m a defender not a shooter.

“I’m pretty lucky because I’ve got a pretty natural shooting style but it’s definitely taken a lot of work to get the accuracy.

“It was my second year of tryouts … (being selected) was something that I’ve been working towards for a year or two so I was pretty happy with it.

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With a state selection now ticked off, Dufty hopes to work her way through to national teams with the ultimate goal of representing the Diamonds.

The St Marys District High student said she had come a long way from ‘hating’ netball in her younger days and credited her coaches and support network for enabling her success. 

“I really love to play and it’s a like another family and how supportive everyone is – it doesn’t matter where you are outside of netball, they don’t judge you.

“All my coaches have helped me in their own way from the ones that I’ve had at the start to now, and I wouldn’t be able to be where I am without everyone that’s helped me with travel.

“It’s been a big effort from everyone down on the East Coast, the St Helens Netball Association and the Flemings and the Booths.”