GIANTS Netball have today turned a new page in their short but rising history, with Jo Harten named as captain of the GIANTS for the 2020 season.
Harten becomes just the second player in club history to take on the captaincy, following the retirement of inaugural captain Kim Green at the end of 2019.
Harten has been a member of the leadership group since the beginning of the GIANTS’ tenure in Suncorp Super Netball and will make a seamless transition into the top job.
Green said Harten represents everything GIANTS Netball stands for and said she is proud and honoured to pass the title to her.
“To be honest I wasn’t too surprised to hear it was Jo,” Green said.
“Jo has essentially led from the start and helped me with leading the group the past three years.
“All the players that have been around the extended group from the beginning have seen her leadership progression and have witnessed her passion and desire to win.
“On-court when you need a player to stand up, that’s Jo Harten for sure.
“Off the court she’s fun, relaxed and she sees things that other people often don’t.”
Harten said it is an honour to be voted as captain in a new-look leadership team.
“It’s a really nice mark of respect from the players, but I think we’re the type of group that could see anyone in the leadership group,” she said.
“We’ve had Kim as our captain for the first three years and it’s really big shoes to fill.
“I’m super excited to take the reins from her and follow in her footsteps and just keep the group tracking along as we were.”
Harten will be supported by Kristiana Manu’a as vice-captain, who will step into a formal leadership position for the first time this season.
The 24-year-old defender, who started her career under Fitzgerald and alongside Harten in New Zealand, celebrated 50 games in the 2019 season and had one of her most impressive seasons to date.
