Former Queensland Firebird Simone Nalatu will once again lead the Queensland 19-and-under team at the National Netball Championships, and the experienced head coach has high expectations.
The blockbuster event, which has been cancelled due to COVID the past two years, will be held from April 19-24 in Hobart.
Nalatu, who led Queensland to a bronze medal in 2019, is looking forward to the challenge ahead with a relatively inexperienced group.
“It’s a privilege to work with our young and upcoming netballers in Queensland,” Nalatu said.
“It’s an opportunity I really enjoy and I'm really grateful to be given the position again.
“Winning a Nationals is absolutely the ultimate and I've had some great teams in the past that have vied for the title.
“Of course, we have eyes on the prize, but we are really focussed on our preparation at this stage to ensure that we are in best possible position to compete for the title come April.”
Nalatu will once again have a good friend and trusted ally by her side with Joanne Morgan appointed as the team’s assistant coach.
Morgan, head coach of the USQ Jets in the HART Sapphire Series, is one of the most experienced assistants around – being a former Firebird and Australian Diamond.
“Jo and I played together for the Firebirds and so we've taken that understanding into our coaching role together,” Nalatu said.
“Similar to when we were on court I know ‘Jo-Jo’ has my back and we share a similar philosophy to our coaching.”
Rounding out the 19-and-under team support staff is Ash Ngauamo as team manager and Lauren Klinberg joining the program for the first time as apprentice coach.
Nalatu said having the services of the duo made her life easier as coach.
“It’s wonderful to have Ash back as Team Manager, she has such a cool and calm approach with all of us which makes us feel really well prepared for anything we have going on,” she said.
“It’s great to also have Lauren in as the Apprentice Coach as well.
“She has coached along the pathway so it's great she can see what happens in this environment in order to hopefully take up an Assistant or Head Coach role in the future.”
The team will be well looked after by RHP Physiotherapy and another key to their campaign is having students from The University of Queensland covering the performance analysis.
The final 16 athletes for the 19-and-under squad will be announced in the coming weeks.
Netball Queensland will announce the coaches and staff for the 17-and-under state team soon.
Click below for the full squad lists
19-and-under: https://qld.netball.com.au/2021-19u-queensland-squad
17-and-under: https://qld.netball.com.au/2021-17u-queensland-squad
