The athletes selected come from a large pool of people across all of New South Wales, who expressed their interest to be part of the newly established pathway program.
The initiative put in place by GIANTS Netball and Netball NSW will provide all athletes selected the opportunity to work on individualised elite training programs, with a strong alignment to the GIANTS’ Super Netball squad.
GIANTS Netball Coach Julie Fitzgerald, who will oversee the program, says she is thrilled with the calibre of athletes selected.
“I’m so excited to welcome this group of athletes into our GIANTS Netball setup,” she said.
“The exposure and experience they’ll become accustomed to through the high-performance environment they’ll be training in, will just be invaluable for their quest to make netball at the top level.”
The squad supports a diversification in age, from those still eligible for National Netball Championships, through to those who have already had minimal exposure at Super Netball level.
“We have a great mix of athletes in the squad,” Fitzgerald said.
“We have girls that are still in the midst of their netball development and underage representation years, through to those that could take the court tomorrow if needed.”
As previously announced former GIANTS Netball player Rebecca Bulley will be coach of the academy, along with current GIANTS Netball Assistant Coach Jenny O’Keeffe as Program Manager.
2019/20 Academy Squad:
Toni Anderson
Luana Aukafolau
Amelia Basheer
Eliza Burton
Selene Chadrawy
Taylah Davies
Jemma Donoghue
Sophie Dwyer
Charli Fidler
Ang Frketic
Clare Iongi
Nakita Jackson
Matisse Letherbarrow
Annie Miller
Emily Moore
Claire O’Brien
Erin O’Brien
Megan O’Keefe
Millie Roach
Olivia Rowntree
Amy Sligar
Natalie Sligar
Lakita Tombs
Violet Wetsteyn
