The squad for the 2007 Netball Victoria State League division one season was unveiled last week.

Purtell, 18, will join 10 other players in the squad.

She said Ballarat Pride had lost three key players last year and she hoped she would move into a key position.

The wing attack and goal attack player said she played one quarter in last year's grand final and would work to increase that.

She began training on her own in January followed by fitness testing. Then the squad accomplished boot camp which involved carrying a 300kg rope.

"It was very hard but very rewarding," Purtell said.

The team now has some practice matching coming up.

"I can't wait to get back. It will give me a new challenge each week which is good," Purtell said.

Purtell predicted Ballarat Pride would be a hard team to beat this year.

Purtell, who works at Travelscene @ Frank Ford in Ballarat, moved to Ballarat nearly three weeks ago.

She hopes to play for Hepburn seniors this season.