The journey towards next year’s Netball Australia Underage National Championship starts for 57 young Queensland athletes this weekend.
The Queensland 19U and 17U squads will gather for the first phase of their selection trials under the watchful gaze of coaches Rebecca Stower and Simone Nalatu.
Picked in September following the conclusion of the Nissan State Titles, the squads, consisting of 27-30 athletes each will trial throughout the month before a cohort of 16 players is chosen in both age groups in early December.
Recently appointed the head coach of the Bond University Bull Sharks HART Sapphire Series team, Stower will be at the helm of Queensland’s 17U squad for a second year.
She’s excited to continue the development of the state’s next generation of elite netball talent having secured bronze at this year’s Nationals in April.
“Being able to introduce and reinforce High Performance Behaviours with this age group, for many the start of this pathway, is really important for them as athletes moving forward,” Stower said.
“There are many rewards to be reaped that correlate directly to our on-court performance.
“There is so much growth anticipated for this young age group and exposing them to this opportunity can really accommodate this growth.”
Nalatu, a former Queensland Firebird and Fiji international, is once again coaching the 19U squad having been at the helm for many years including a bronze medal win in 2019.
“I’m really looking forward to kicking off the program, which will be delivered in a new way for 2023,” Nalatu said.
19U Squad
Kayla Anderson (Brisbane South Wildcats)
Abby Boland (Gold Coast Titans)
Baylee Boyd (USC Thunder)
Holly Buckley (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Georgia Butt (USC Thunder)
Alissa Carey (Northern Mendi Rays)
Kiara Condon (USQ Jets)
Sophia Dobson (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Tahlia Evans (Brisbane South Wildcats)
Talitah Faifai (Gold Coast Titans)
Poppy Gatfield (USC Thunder)
Georgie Johnson (Brisbane South Wildcats)
Emily Jones (Capricorn Claws)
Ocean Karekare (USQ Jets)
Larika Malagaoma (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Yasmin Mayall (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Jayden Molo (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Kiesha Muckan (USC Thunder)
Losa Niumata (ACU Cougars)
Dakota Newson (Gold Coast Titans)
Lillyana Rennie (USQ Jets)
Elsa Sif Sandholt (USQ Jets)
Mia Smalley (USC Thunder)
Kaylin van Greunen (Darling Downs Panthers)
Mia Wharekura (USQ Jets)
Jade Williams (Capricorn Claws)
Emmisyn Wynyard (ACU Brisbane North Cougars).
17U Squad
Ellie Brice (USC Thunder)
Marley Burns (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Holly Comyns (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Tia Crombie (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Jada Delaney (USC Thunder)
Sasha-May Flegler (Northern Mendi Rays)
Jasmine Gill (USC Thunder)
Joesi Gisinger (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Molly Green (USQ Jets)
Mahlia Henare (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Gemma Hutchings (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Tehya Hyssett (Gold Coast Titans)
Charlotte Jonsen (Northern Mendi Rays)
Sarah Joyce (Carina Leagues Club Tiger)
Ella Macartney (USQ Jets)
Elka Macaulay (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Olivia Mallard (Gold Coast Titans)
Brooke Marchant (Gold Coast Titans)
Maia Masoe (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Tia Molo (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Losehina Mulligan (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Anessah Oakley (Northern Mendi Rays)
Samaya Oakley (Northern Mendi Rays)
Aaliyah Sheppard (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Kaylee Tamala (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Kirra Tappenden (USC Thunder)
Ngahuia Te Rure (Brisbane South Wildcats)
Saupo Toeleiu (USQ Jets)
Kydan Tuapou (Brisbane South Wildcats)
Halle Webster (Darling Downs Panthers)
