Stower is expected to have several players from her title-winning team moving up an age grade at the 2024 NNC and will be joined by assistant Amanda Kelly to maintain the coaching team which secured gold in Darwin in April.
“Moving into the 19U program is an exciting opportunity for me,” Stower said.
“Whilst the experience will be challenging, I feel that this has been a mutual ‘coming of age’ for both me and many of the athletes in the squad.
“It was with a core group of these players that I began my Queensland coaching journey. To some extent we have been able to develop and evolve together, albeit in different roles.
“What has been fantastic to see is the growth, resilience, and perseverance I have come to appreciate with players who have previously missed out on final selection, to come back demanding we pay attention. It will certainly make for a difficult selection process – the depth of talent, and the sheer number of options available is quite phenomenal.
“It will be our jobs to ensure that we look to develop the next generation of Queenslanders, balancing versatility of combinations, Netball Australia competencies and a team that will embody the Queensland spirit whilst living their Team Values and Behaviours.”
Along with Bond University Bull Sharks’ duo, Netball Queensland have appointed Leona Collins as team manager for the 19U selection.
A trio of school teachers, led by head coach Anna Young, will steer the 17 and Under team in 2024.
Young, a former assistant coach of the Queensland Fusion in the Australian Netball League who is currently working at The Cathedral College Rockhampton, has been appointed as head coach.
“It’s refreshing and exciting to work with eager athletes who are beginning their journey in elite programs,” Young said.
“They are keen to learn and try new skills. They are taking everything on board and wanting to make the most of every opportunity they can.
“It’s fantastic having a wider group of the official team staff, NQ staff and experienced selectors who are all invested in developing the whole squad and future proofing the quality of netball being produced across the whole of Queensland.”
Canterbury College and Gold Coast Titans academy coach Erin Byrnes has been named as Young’s assistant, with former Queensland Suns male player Joel Wise appointed as apprentice coach and Liz Shaw to be team manager.
The final 16 players for the 19U and 17U state selections will be named in early December ahead of next year’s NNC at a venue and date to be announced.
