SUNCORP Super Netball players Ash Ervin, Ash Unie, Annie Miller, Mia Stower and Macy Gardner will link with HART Sapphire Series clubs in 2023 after the competition’s inaugural draft.
Queensland pathways product and Sunshine Coast Lightning rookie Ervin was the first choice in the draft held at Nissan Arena on Thursday evening.
The young defender was selected by Bond University Bull Sharks, meaning she’ll return to the team she represented in the HART Sapphire Series in 2021 before playing for the Aerospace Ipswich Jets last year.
Queensland Firebirds recruit Unie, who was part of the championship-winning ACU Cougars in 2022, was drafted by the Brisbane South Wildcats with the second pick.
Her Firebirds teammates Mia Stower and Macy Gardner were also drafted with Stower picked by the Sunshine Coast Thunder and Gardner taken with the last pick of the evening by the Cougars, reuniting with the club where she has won multiple HART Sapphire Series premierships including back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022.
The Jets meanwhile chose to draft Lightning Annie Miller with their selection, boosting an impressive-looking midcourt which will already boast Firebirds’ training partner and Tonga international Hulita Veve.
Carina Leagues Club Tigers and the Gold Coast Titans both opted not to make a selection in the draft.
Both clubs can however still recruit from the unselected trio of Firebirds Kim Ravaillion, Lara Dunkley and Emily Moore at a later date with their 11th roster position.
The HART Sapphire Series draft was implemented to give SSN contracted players a formalised opportunity for court time during the season that they may not be getting at the elite level.
SSN clubs during the season will advise HART Sapphire Series coaches within three hours of the completion of an SSN game as to whether the player is available and how many minutes they are available for.
The 2023 HART Sapphire Series begins on April 22 with a triple-header of matches at Nissan Arena.
2023 HART SAPPHIRE SERIES DRAFT
BULL SHARKS – Ash Ervin
WILDCATS – Ash Unie
TIGERS – Pass
JETS – Annie Miller
TITANS – Pass
THUNDER – Mia Stower
COUGARS – Macy Gardner
