The duo, who have been working alongside the Firebirds during their Suncorp Super Netball pre-season, were both named in the 12-player team to compete at the NNC in April at Sydney’s Netball Central.
Joining them will be several members of Queensland’s gold-medal winning 2023 17 and Under team including Ellie Brice, Holly Comyns, Tia Crombie, Jada Delaney, Gemma Hutchings and Tia Molo in a quest to go one better than last year’s silver medal.
The squad also includes Queensland Firebirds Futures Academy (QFFA) athletes Marley Burns and Charlotte Jonsen.
There is also a new face in the maroon dress in Darling Down Panthers product Amy Williams.
“The 19s squad has spent the summer working hard on and off the court in preparation for the final phase of their 2025 campaign,” Head Coach Linda Peterson said.
“There have been some big improvers in a group filled with players that have already experienced what it is to represent Queensland at the National Netball Championships - many of whom have been nationally categorised/talent identified by Netball Australia.
“We will now spend our time establishing and living our team values and high-performance behaviours, continuing to push ourselves in gym and conditioning sessions, whilst honing our technical and tactical skills during trainings and match play opportunities.”
QFFA athletes Simone Botha and Ciarn MacBride highlight the 2025 17 and Under team which is aiming to build on last year’s fifth-placed finish.
The 2025 NNC will be contested across the week of April 10-16 featuring representative teams from every state and territory across the country, contesting for titles across the two age groups.
Tickets for the National Netball Championships will go on sale to the General Public at 12:00pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, March 5 through INTIX.
QUEENSLAND 17U STATE TEAM
Simone Botha (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Matilda Canning (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Samaya Cook (Sunshine Coast Thunder)
Chelsea Edwards (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Isabelle Houghton (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Ciarn MacBride (Far North Flames)
Amelia Nemcansky (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Willow Peterson (TAE Aerospace Ipswich Jets)
Ruby Stanford (TAE Aerospace Ipswich Jets)
Embah Tait (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Tereneah Tapuai (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Bridie Stewart (Bond University Bull Sharks)
(Training Partners: Ava Barrett (Gold Coast Titans), Harlow Faaee (Gold Coast Titans), Harmony Topeto (Gold Coast Titans), Matilda-May Towner (Sunshine Coast Thunder), Ariana Ransfield (ACU Brisbane North Cougars), Chelsea O’Neill (Townsville City Netball Association).
QUEENSLAND 19U STATE TEAM
Ellie Brice (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Rio Burns (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Marley Burns (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Holly Comyns (Carina Leagues Club Tigers)
Jada Delaney (Sunshine Coast Thunder)
Sasha-May Flegler (Bond University Bull Sharks)
Gemma Hutchings (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Charlotte Jonsen (North Queensland)
Tia Molo (ACU Brisbane North Cougars)
Kirra Tappenden (Sunshine Coast Thunder)
Amy Williams (Darling Downs Panthers)
Tia Crombie (Gold Coast Titans)
(Training Partners: Kaylee Tamala (Carina Leagues Club Tigers), Aaliyah Sheppard (Gold Coast Titans), Roxanne Rhind (Gold Coast Titans), Ella Macartney (ACU Brisbane North Cougars), Sarah Joyce (Carina Leagues Club Tigers), Tehya Hyssett (Bond University Bull Sharks), Sienna Jones (ACU Brisbane North Cougars), Bronte Flook (ACU Brisbane North Cougars).
