Netball Queensland names Gems team for Marie Little Shield

The Queensland Gems team for September’s Marie Little Shield competition has been named and is set to shine. 

Of the 10 players named, five are products of community organisation Hit the Dot’s Hidden Gems Netball Academy, which was established to build the skills of women eligible to represent Queensland at the Marie Little Shield. 

This achievement comes just four months after Netball Queensland and Hit the Dot established a memorandum of understanding between the two organisations. 

Gems head coach Merrin McCulloch was excited to see how the players compete as part of the Gems team when the Marie Little Shield begins at Waverley Netball Centre in Victoria on 15 September. 

“We're looking forward to seeing these players shine on the court, a testament to their hard work and dedication,” McCulloch said. 

The 2023 Gems line-up includes foundation players Jen Collins, Lisa Lenton, Wilhemena Thaw and Jasmin Catterall as well as returning Emma Mangan, who is back in Gems colours despite living in Sydney. 

“Our foundation players have been integral since the inception of the Gems, forming the backbone of our team's expertise and dedication,” McCulloch said. 

“Emma’s experience and skillset also make her an invaluable asset to the squad.” 

McCulloch is joined by assistant Tanya Matthews with Debbie Kennedy named as team manager. 

Development coach Jack Matthews will also be present along with Zoe Schwietzer as the team’s umpire, in a pioneering role. 

Named in honour of Marie Little (OAM), the Marie Little Shield features seven teams and is presented with Visit Victoria as the Official Event Host Partner. 

The competition runs for three days from 15 to 17 September and McCulloch is eager to see how the team holds up, particularly against powerhouse outfits such as South Australia, Victoria and defending champions New South Wales. 

“While we aim to compete fiercely against these teams, our primary goal is to enjoy competitive netball and relish the experience,” McCulloch said. 

As part of ongoing strategic efforts to remove barriers to participation across netball, Netball Queensland has fully funded the Gems’ participation in the Marie Little Shield to ensure players can focus on performing their best.