Netball Queensland has appointed a duo of Suncorp Super Netball training partners to lead its Queensland 19 and under State Team.
Queensland Firebirds’ Ashleigh Ervin will captain the team at next week’s National Netball Championships in Hobart, with the support of vice-captain Ava Black from the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Ervin said she was both honoured and excited by the opportunity.
“It’s so uplifting to know that the team and staff trust Ava and myself to lead them through Nationals,” she said.
“I feel like as I’ve grown to be more comfortable in these teams, I’ve been able to develop a lot of leadership traits I didn’t even know I had.
“I’m still learning a lot as a leader, but I’ve been trying to step up in moments where I feel the team needs it and just raise my voice on court or say something encouraging to the team off the court.”
Despite it being the first time Ervin has captained a team the talented defender said she feels prepared.
This is through her time learning alongside the leadership group at the Queensland Firebirds including captain Kim Ravaillion, vice-captain Lara Dunkley and former captain Gabi Simpson.
“Kim (Ravaillion) is someone who always leads by example and to be honest just makes you want to be a better person for the team. She’s a great captain and I hold myself to really high standards on and off court because of her,” Ervin explained.
“Gabi (Simpson) is also someone who is such a natural leader, she’s so inclusive especially to us training partners who aren’t at firebirds as much anymore, she’s always checking up and encouraging me in any way she can. She just has such an uplifting demeanour and I’m really just trying to be like that for my team.
“I also have to mention Lara (Dunkley) who brings so much energy to a team, and I realise how important it is to have those sorts of athletes who are really encouraging and energetic, I think I could definitely try to be more like that.”
It is a similar case for Black, with the vice-captain highlighting her time with Sunshine Coast Lightning players such as captain Steph Wood as being invaluable.
The exciting midcourter believes she and Ervin are a ying and yang type duo who form a well-balanced leadership team.
“I definitely see myself as someone who brings a lot of energy and excitement to the table. I like to think that I am the type of leader that lifts those around me and brings them along the exciting ride,” Black said.
“I think my strengths lie with my ability to speak up and use my voice when those around me don’t.
“The skills and habits that I have learnt from just being in the Lightning program for a few months is enough to take in for a lifetime. Every player there is just so committed and individually determined to succeed, it’s so inspiring and motivating for me as a young athlete coming through.”
Queensland head into the National Netball Championships, which will be held for the first time in two years due to Covid, confident of being able to make their state proud.
“We have all the skills and preparation to compete with any team we come up against,” Ervin said.
“And aside from the actual netball I’m just so excited to go away with the girls and have a great campaign.”
Netball Queensland congratulates all players and staff selected to represent Queensland at the championships and wishes them all the best.
