The GIANTS have been bolstered by the next generation of Suncorp Super Netball talent, with eight of the best NSW/ACT Pathway talent signing on as Training Partners for 2022.
Ang Frketic, Jemma Donoghue and Clare Iongi will all return as Training Partners, while five fresh faces in Eliza Burton, Charli Fidler, Erin O’Brien, Millie Roach and Nat Sligar will join the setup.
Following a disrupted past two seasons for pathway netball, the GIANTS have made the decision to expand on the normal four to six training partner setup and support additional local talent in the elite environment.
GIANTS Coach Julie Fitzgerald said she was pleased to have support from both Netball NSW and the club for the extended setup.
“As a club we hold a real emphasis on backing and developing our local talent and I’m really excited by the talent all these girls bring,” said Fitzgerald.
“We want to be able to introduce them into the elite environment at a younger age and foster their potential and talent to develop them into not only GIANTS players but Australian Diamonds.
“A lot of these girls are in pivotal stages of their netball development and national identification and unfortunately have hardly played any netball the past two seasons.
“Depth within our extended squad is beneficial to the whole of the program, not only for development of the younger and aspiring athletes but for the preparedness and competitive nature of the entire group.
“We look forward to welcoming them all into the group over the coming months.”
Eliza Burton
Having spent the past two seasons under former GIANTS Kim Green and Bec Bulley in the NSW Premier League, zippy midcourter Eliza Burton has been identified as a Training Partner for the GIANTS in 2022. Fit and quick, the 170cm attacking mid has previously represented the Canberra GIANTS in the former Australian Netball League and was most recently a member of the GIANTS Netball Academy.
Jemma Donoghue
Jemma Donoghue is an exciting and talented defender who earnt selection in the Australian 21s squad last year. Returning for a second year in the GIANTS setup, the Manly Warringah Sapphire will continue to evolve her strong game through her tight one-on-one defence and impressive elevation.
Charli Fidler
Another young talent hailing from Eastwood Ryde Netball Association is 18-year-old Charli Fidler. Standing at 187cm, Fidler is a defender for the Manly Warringah Sapphires with a strong rebound and is not afraid to hunt outside the circle. She is one of three GIANTS training partners in the Australian 19U Squad.
Ang Frektic
A familiar face to the GIANTS setup, Ang Frektic was elevated to a Training Partner midway through 2021 following Matisse Letherbarrow’s elevation to the GIANTS’ squad. The Marj Groves AM Scholarship recipient for 2021 is an accurate and consistent goaler who has previously been called up for pre-season campaigns over the past two years.
Clare Iongi
Clare Iongi enters her third year in the GIANTS setup. A member of the Australian 21s squad, the 183cm circle defender is athletic in nature, extremely versatile and, with the ability to anticipate the ball’s movement, manages to pick up plenty of ball before it enters the circle.
Erin O’Brien
An exciting, young and tall talent, 189cm defender Erin O’Brien has earnt her first Training Partner contract with the GIANTS for 2022. A product of the Hills District, the 18-year-old defender played locally with the North Shore United 23s side and was selected in the 19U National Squad.
Millie Roach
A tall and mobile shooter, Mille Roach is another young talent that the GIANTS are thrilled to welcome into their program. Known for her strong hold and her accuracy from all ranges, Roach was selected in the Australian 19U Squad in both 2020 and 2021.
Nat Sligar
Nat Sligar joins the GIANTS as a Training Partner in the sought-after position of a WA/GA. Beginning her career at Camden Netball Association, the 180cm hard-working utility player represents Sutherland Stingrays in NNSW Premier League. A state representative, Sligar was also selected in the Australian 19U Squad in 2020.
