5 Ways to Leave a Lasting Impression at Trials

What's really going to set you apart at trials, beyond your physical performance?

Growing up in Dubbo, five hours from Sydney, I travelled to more trials than I can count without a single connection to the coaches or selectors in the room. No one knew my name. I was just another athlete in a sea of athletes all wanting the same thing.

That experience taught me a lot, and so did the athletes I've learned from along the way, including Australian Diamond Kim Green. What I can tell you is this: your skills will only take you so far. How you carry yourself, present yourself and behave in that room is what separates athletes who get remembered from those who don't.

Here are five things I wish someone had told me before I walked into my first trial.

1. Wear white or bright coloured shoes

This one sounds small. It's not. Black shoes make your feet look heavy and slow. Bright or white shoes draw the eye downward and make your footwork look sharper, faster and more athletic. Selectors are watching dozens of athletes at once. Anything that directs their attention toward your movement works in your favour.

2. Give them something to identify you by

At most trials, everyone wears the same coloured bib or uniform. So when a selector turns to their colleague and says "did you see number seven?" you want to be the athlete they're already describing as "the one with the bright ribbon" or "the one in the yellow socks."

Wear a bright hair ribbon. Bright socks. A coloured armband. Something small, legal within the dress code, and memorable. Make it easy for them to find you in their notes at the end of the day.

3. Always ask a question

If a selector, coach or official asks whether you have any questions following an interview or interaction, the answer is always yes. Always.

This is one of the most underused moments in any trial. Asking a thoughtful question signals that you're engaged, curious and coachable. You don't need it prepared in advance. Listen carefully throughout the session and find something genuine to ask in the moment. There's always something worth asking.

4. Ask for feedback before you leave

If it's appropriate in the environment, approach selectors before you walk out and ask directly: "Is there any feedback you can give me that I can take into my training?"

This one move does several things at once. It shows you're proactive and committed to improving. It demonstrates that you handle feedback professionally. And you never know where you sit in a selector's final decision. If it's between you and one other athlete, that moment of initiative might be exactly what tips the scale. The worst they can say is they can't share anything yet. The upside is far greater than the risk.

5. Play for the team you're in that day

You're trialling for a spot. Every athlete around you is your competition. And that's exactly why this matters so much.

Encourage your teammates. Communicate on the court or field. Celebrate good play. Be the person who lifts the group around them. Selectors aren't just looking for skill, they're building a team. They want athletes who slot in anywhere, contribute to culture and lead without being asked. Show them that's you.