Talent
Just do what you love A NSW State Netball and Basketball player, NSW State Band Champion, Bhangra dancer and singer, Ruhani is also sitting for her HSC in what has been a tumultuous year with COVID-19.
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t 17, Ruhani Dhillon hopes that her humble achievements in music and sports will serve as an inspiration to younger Indian and Sikh girls. “Growing up, I had no idea what I wanted to be or what was ahead of me.” A NSW State Netball and Basketball player, NSW State Band Champion, Bhangra dancer and singer, Ruhani is also sitting for her HSC in what has been a tumultuous year with COVID-19. “It has been a challenge trying to juggle my music, dance and netball commitments, alongside studying. This year in particular has been really tough, given I am in Year 12 and how COVID-19 has coincided with my final year in high school.” At its peak, just before COVID-19 hit, Ruhani’s schedule involved netball training three times a week, Bhangra rehearsals three times a week, and Band practice up to four times a week, in addition to school and tuition. At school, she is part of the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Stage Band, which also involves rehearsals before and after school. Ruhani says the only way she is keeping her head above water is constant reminders from her parents to focus on what’s most important or due immediately. “We often wonder how we fit it all in. My parents take turns to get me to my rehearsals and training on time. It sometimes means eating or studying in the car while getting from one place to another.” Download Our App
As a direct consequence of this commitment, some of Ruhani’s most notable accolades in sports include: In 2016 and 2018, Ruhani represented NSW in Indoor Netball and travelled to Melbourne and the Gold Coast to play for a National title. She won Player of the Final in the NSW 2019-2020 Metro Super League Netball. At the 2019 Australian Sikh Games, Ruhani was awarded the Supreet Kaur Scholarship for excellence in netball.She represented the Hills District Netball Association between 2014 and 2018, representing the State twice. In 2017, she won the Under 15’s NSW Combined High Schools Netball State Championships in Wollongong. JUNE I 2020
Between 2011 and 2018, Ruhani played for Beecroft Netball Club and won three grand finals as the team’s shooter. She now plays in the Dooleys Metro League, one of the premier netball competitions in NSW. In basketball, Ruhani played with the Hornsby Spiders and took out the Under 12 Girls NSW Basketball Junior State Championship, remaining undefeated against Illawarra, Dubbo, Sutherland, Newcastle. “I draw my inspiration in sports from both my Dad and Mum. My Dad still plays cricket today and is respected for the maturity he brings to the game. He was also a fantastic kabbadi player in his early years - representing Australia in Canada and New Zealand. www.DesiAustralia.com
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