London called, Dray answered

A FAMILIAR face could be returning to the Orange netball courts in 2011.

Tegan Dray missed the 2010 Orange Netball Association division one competition as she was living and working in London.

She came back to Orange six weeks ago, in time to see her team, Robin Hood, take out the division one premiership.

Dray, who has played many years in the division one competition as well as represented Orange multiple times in State League netball, said it was nice to be home after her 12 months overseas.

“It’s lovely being back. You settle back into old routines very quickly. It’s been nice catching up with family and friends,” Dray said.

“I’ve been living in London for the last year and working at an all-girls inner-city London school. It’s been interesting with the different backgrounds of all the kids.”

Dray’s return also coincided with Orange High playing in the NSW Combined High Schools netball final series in September.

The 24-year-old had coached many of the Orange High players as junior before they moved into the school’s top side, so her visit was special for the girls.

“I was really sneaky about it. I flew in the night before and turned up the next day,” she explained.

“I surprised them during one of their team talks. They had a different reaction. It was stunned silence and then squealing and some of them started crying.”

During her time in London, Dray played some mixed netball in a division one competition which she described as “different”.

She is hoping to get back on court with three-time defending premiers Robin Hood during the 2011 ONA season.

“Hopefully I can play with Robin Hood again but I’ll have to wait for the selections,” she said.