Ervin ready to roll

By Matt Fotia 

Ash Ervin can clearly recall where she was when she received ‘the call’.  

Or at least where she was when she missed it. 

Having arrived home after another day’s training on the Sunshine Coast, Ervin jumped straight into shower as an in-form Lightning defender. By the time she got out, she was an Australian Diamonds squad member. 

“I remember it very vividly,” Ervin said. 

“I had a missed call from Stacey, and I knew ‘the call’ had been going around. I didn’t know exactly what day it was, but I saw the call and just started freaking out.” 

Ervin eventually steadied herself, with the help of her roommates (and Lightning teammates Leesa Mi Mi and Charlie Bell), and returned ‘the call’. 

“When she told me I was so emotional,” Ervin explained. 

“I was with my roommates and we just all cried together. 

“It was so insane.” 

Her ascent to the national squad is a little bit crazy when you think about it. 

Ervin only made the move from attack to defence in 2021 for Bond University in the Queensland state league, and was set to spend 2023 as a training partner with the Queensland Firebirds before receiving a contract offer from the Lightning to replace the retiring Kate Walsh. 

“My netball path has jumped in leaps and bounds, and I’ve been fortunate with opportunities, but I feel like I’ve been in a position to step into those roles when they’ve come about,” Ervin stated. 

“I started off in ‘Ruby’ then the next year I was ‘Sapphire’ and the next year I was a training partner and the next year I was on an SSN list and now the Diamonds. 

“Looking back, I have been lucky and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and want to take them with both hands.” 

Her Diamonds call up didn’t seem insane to the rest of the netball community though.  

Ervin had put together a fantastic opening half of the SSN season, imposing herself on the competition. 

Her long reach and eagerness to come out and get ball was a talking point, as she made the most of the playing opportunities afforded to her thanks in part to an injury to fellow defender Courtney Bruce. 

Despite the growing outside noise that she would soon become part of the Diamonds squad, Ervin managed to keep her head down and stay focused on her work with the Lightning. 

“I wasn’t getting my hopes up in anyway about selection,” Ervin claimed. 

“I knew I was playing well, but I was lucky to get court time with Courtney’s injury, so I was just focusing on my game. 

“It’s always been my dream to be in the Diamonds and deep down I’ve always really wanted it, so obviously the dream was there, but I didn’t want to let it distract me.” 

Bruce has become ever present in Ervin’s life across the last 12 months, after the youngster spent some time with the Diamonds as a training partner this time last year. 

Aware of the rumours Bruce would soon be joining her on the Sunshine Coast, Ervin made sure to hang on the world class defenders every word and believes she has had an enormous influence on her performances this year. 

“Courtney has been a massive part of my netball in the last year,” Ervin explained. 

“When I first met her at Diamonds camp, I sort of knew she was going to be coming across to the Lightning, so I made sure to listen and learn how she played and was excited to start playing with her. 

“Even throughout her injury lay off she was amazingly supportive and was so generous with the help she gave on and off the court. 

“She’s a massive part of how I’m learning the game. 

“She’s the best for a reason and I want to be like her one day.” 

Ervin, and her other youthful Lightning teammates, are spoiled for choice when it comes to mentors. 

The goalers work with the likes of Cara Koenen and Steph Fretwell, the mid courters have the tutelage of Diamonds captain Liz Watson to call upon, while the defenders look to Bruce. 

Ervin believes the exposure to international stars she has enjoyed across the last 12-18 months holds her in good stead for what’s ahead. 

“When I went into the Diamonds camp in October last year, the gameplay was on a whole other level,” Ervin said. 

“Training with such special players has been super helpful for my game. 

“I think Cara, who is such a versatile player who can hold and move extremely fast has helped me in the way I play. 

“For a player of my stature I prefer a more holding shooter, so training against Cara who can move a lot has really helped me this season. 

“It will still be a massive jump (international netball), but I’ll be a little more prepared because of those players around me.” 

Ervin finished the Lightning’s 2024 campaign with impressive numbers, claiming 81 deflections, 69 gains, 23 rebounds and 20 intercepts in a breakout season. 

But she understands she is nowhere near the finished product and has an insatiable thirst for growth. 

“As a younger player I’m still working on my consistency,” Ervin said. 

“I had good games, but then I had some games where I dipped, so I’m still trying to find consistency because no matter what team I come against I want to be impactful. 

“As a player I never feel like I can do enough. 

“Even though I’m in the Diamonds squad I don’t feel like I’m exactly where I want to be.  

“I want to keep pushing myself.” 

But that doesn’t mean she isn’t ready to take on the world. 

“I feel ready,” Ervin said. 

“It’s been on my mind for a long time. It’s where I want to be, so I feel I’m mentally prepared to take on the challenge. 

“I’m very lucky to have been given the opportunity so young, but it’s been in my head for a long time, and I’ve been very ready to take it on for a while.”