The Queensland Sapphires are proud to announce their squad ahead of September’s Australian Netball Championships to be held in Traralgon, Victoria.
A total of 12 players have been named in the squad with an additional six training partners included, a majority of those coming out Netball Queensland’s HART Sapphire Series.
Despite it being a newly branded team playing on the big stage against the country’s most exciting talent, coach Katie Walker has full confidence the Queensland Sapphires can claim the title.
“I am a firm believer that you should always be in it to win it and too often we shy away from saying that out loud,” Walker admitted.
“But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t believe we have the group of players capable of doing exactly that.
“It is also extremely important to me that we create an environment and program that allows players and staff to really be a part of something rewarding, inclusive and one that gives them all the best opportunity to thrive.”
The Queensland Sapphires are made up of super talent including Queensland Firebirds defender Rudi Ellis and training partners Macy Gardner, Reilley Batcheldor, Mia Stower, Hulita Veve and Ruby Bakewell-Doran.
Walker was remaining tight-lipped about her side’s game plan ahead of the championship, though was full of praise for those responsible for having the Queensland Sapphires ready to go.
“It is still early days, and I don’t want to give too much away just yet, but what I can tell you is that we will be fit, fierce and well prepared to take on the talent of the other teams come September,” she said.
“I am extremely lucky to have an amazing group of High-Performance staff to work beside and together we will ensure the girls are not only ready and prepared to put out some impressive netball at the ANC this year but take away learnings and behaviours they can implement should they be given the opportunity at the next level in the year or seasons ahead.”
The squad will begin preparations next week, navigating their HART Sapphire Series finals commitments ahead of departing for the tournament (COVID willing) on 10th September.
Queensland Sapphires 12-person squad
Shooters
Reilley Batcheldor (QUT Netball)
Charlie Bell (USQ Jets)
Martina Reekers (Brisbane North Cougars)
Mia Stower (Brisbane North Cougars)
Mid-Court
Ava Black (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Macy Gardner (Brisbane North Cougars)
Leesa Mi Mi (Brisbane North Cougars)
Hulita Veve (QUT Netball)
Defence
Ruby Bakewell-Doran (Brisbane North Cougars)
Rudi Ellis (Queensland Firebirds)
Ashleigh Ervin (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Remi Kamo (Brisbane North Cougars)
Training Partners
Lily Cubby (USQ Jets)
Lily Gribble (QUT Netball))
Abigail Houston (USQ Jets)
Alice Mauga (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Monique Piunti (Brisbane North Cougars)
Natasha Robinson (Carina League Club Tigers)
Note: Only athletes eligible for Australian representation were open to selection.
