Size doesn’t matter when you are determined to reach your goals.This is one of the valuable lessons former Clearwater Middle School Head Girl Asante Chapman has learned in her quest to fulfill her ultimate ambitions on the netball court.Despite a height disadvantage, the Bermudian player overcame the odds during trials in Surrey, England, earlier this month to earn acceptance at the Elite Netball Sattellite Academy, where she will get the opportunity to take her game to the next level.“I was kind of intimidated at first because some of the girls were much taller than me,” Chapman told The Royal Gazette. “I thought all the other girls were better than me but then I told myself that if I think I’m the best then I will be the best because it’s all about confidence.“I just gave it my all and it felt great to be chosen out of a large group of players.”The versatile player, who was a member of Bermuda’s victorious team at this year’s Jean Pierre Youth Tournament in St Kitt’s, successfully completed trials on the same day she celebrated her 14th birthday.It was perhaps the best birthday gift she could’ve asked for.“The trial was on my birthday and so I was feeling pretty lucky,” Chapman smiled. “There were a lot of girls there and they only picked 24 for the Elite Academey and I was pretty excited it was the perfect birthday gift.”The Elite Netball Satellite Academy programme provides netballers with individual coaching and is reserved for talented athletes between the ages of 12 and 14 that have demonstrated some degree of potential to England scouts.Netballers in the programme can spend precious time on court refining their skills by joining one of the many leagues in Surrey and South West London.Chapman, who is enrolled at Thomas Knyvette College, is currently registered with Surrey Junior Netball Club ‘The Downs’ who are based at Epsom College.Since relocating to the UK earlier this year she has had to acclimatise to playing conditions there against well-drilled opposition.“The players over here are more tactical than in Bermuda,” Chapman said. “Over here you plan exactly what you are going to do whereas in Bermuda you pretty much do whatever comes to mind while you are playing.”The Future Leader Award winner, who also dabbles in basketball, hopes to represent Bermuda at the 2013 Under-21 World Netball Championships in Scotland and reckons the sport is “on the rise” domestically.“Netball is becoming more popular because football (women’s) is getting old,” she said. “More women know about the sport and are active nowadays. I think it’s very good for young ladies to get involved in netball because it’s an enjoyable sport and good exercise for them.”Among the many who have offered Chapman congratulations and best wishes on this side of the Atlantic is Bermuda Netball Association (BNA) president Tracey Sharrieff.“I am just so happy for Asante and the opportunities that have opened up for her,” she said. “She has obviously worked hard and deserves to be at the academy.“On behalf of the netball family here in Bermuda we wish her all the best and hopefully the Bermuda Netball Association can offer some assistance to her.”