Kydd has realised his

dream of representing

his country.

The 21-year-old

qualified for the Aus

tralian under-23 men's

netball team, and

could not be happier

with his achievement.

"It's a once in a life

time opportunity,"

Kydd said.

"It's what most male

netballers aim for be

cause there are no

Olympic opportuni

ties."

Kydd is one of four

Victorians selected to

compete in the Fiji

Challenge Cup in Aug

ust.

The competition will

include Australia, New

Zealand, Fiji, and poss

ibly South Africa, who

will field teams in the

open men's, under-23

men's, and mixed

events.

Kydd started netball

when he was seven, and

has played in state

teams for the last five

years.

The centre-court

player also stuck to his

guns when many of his

friends gave the sport

away.

"Most of them

dropped off when they

hit secondary school.

"The competition

wasn't there unless

they wanted to play

seniors, but that would

have been very tough

on them to mix it with

physical, older guys,"

he said.

As a result, Kydd has

spent years playing

and training in Mel

bourne.

Kydd now plays in

the mixed competition

in Ballarat, and

coaches the Battlers

premier league and re

serves team, as well as

the Sebastopol team.