Gems ready to shine at home in Marie Little Shield

The three-day tournament, which showcases the talents of female athletes with intellectual disabilities, will feature teams from every state and territory, with the exciting addition of an inaugural Tasmanian team in 2024.

The Gems are one of eight teams vying for the coveted shield, an event that has been a staple in the netball calendar since its inception in 2013 and named in honour of Marie Little OAM, a netballer who dedicated her life to supporting those with intellectual disabilities.

“We are thrilled to compete at Nissan Arena, the Home of the Gems,” said Queensland Gems Head Coach Merrin McCulloch.

“2024 is an exciting year for us. Not only has our training squad grown to a pool of 20 players, but our families, training partners, and supporters can all be there to cheer us on.”

McCulloch highlighted the significance of this year's competition for the Gems, with several new players making their debut.

“What can be better than to debut in your home town?,” McCulloch said.

“We will be led by our experienced captains and seasoned players and are all looking forward to welcoming Tasmania to the comp to make it a true nationals.”

The 2024 event promises to be a memorable one, with all matches open to the public and free of charge. For those unable to attend in person, KommunityTV will stream all the action live throughout the weekend.

“Our goal is to play our best netball, aiming for that top four, and a chance to play finals,” McCulloch said.

“We hope to build on last year's performance and give our new players the opportunity to experience the Marie Little Shield.”

A full fixture for this year’s Marie Little Shield will be released in coming weeks.