Two of Queensland’s emerging talents will continue sharing their netball journey after earning selection for next month’s Australian Under-21 camp at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Queensland Sapphires duo Charlie Bell and Leesa Mi Mi have been named in the 14-player squad to attend the camp from September 8 to 11 in Canberra.
The pair were part of the Sapphires team which claimed bronze at last week’s Australian Netball Championships in Victoria and have progressed through Netball Queensland’s emerging talent pathway.
Bell, a product of the Western Districts Association, said the selection has an added element of joy as it is shared with Mi Mi.
“I’ve come through and experienced things with (Leesa) from under-17s, under-19s, Sapphires and now under-21s,” Bell said.
“It’s very exciting to be getting this opportunity and we can’t wait.”
The call-up caps a big few weeks for the 197cm goal shooter and midcourter Mi Mi, with both featuring in the ACU Brisbane North Cougars third consecutive HART Sapphire Series premiership last month.
Both Bell and Mi Mi delivered impressive performances at the Australian National Championships.
Bell scored the second-most goals in the tournament, shooting 207 goals at 92 per cent accuracy.
Mi Mi meanwhile finished with the most goal assists (147), most circle feeds (200) and third-most centre pass receives (122).
Netball Australia Chair of Selectors Michelle Wilkins said the championships had shown the level of young talent in the country.
“Having two years without a competition like this, it really was great to see a mixture of experienced players and younger players taking the court and has created a great environment for learning and growth within all the teams,” Wilkins said.
The four-day camp, being held at the Australian Institute of Sport, will be led by Netball Australia Pathway Head Coach and Selector Anita Keelan alongside a team of specialist coaches.
