Following big news out of Netball Australia this week, we provide an update on what it means for the GIANTS and the upcoming opportunities for the next generation of talent to shine.
Super Netball Reserves
The GIANTS will participate in Netball Australia’s new Super Netball Reserves competition later this year.
The pilot program will run for five weeks from June 1 to July 7 with seven of the eight Super Netball teams set to participate.
Super Netball Reserves will feature athletes who are in or on the cusp of Suncorp Super Netball, including training partners, academy players, premier league players, and other athletes at the discretion of each club.
The program will be trialled this year, with Netball Australia to continue to look at how they can best bolster playing opportunities and prove more pathway opportunities into the future.
“It is a wonderful opportunity,” GIANTS Academy Manager, Jenny O’Keeffe said on the new initiative.
“For our players that are sitting in that next level space, it will provide a great opportunity and to have the concept of it there for the ones aspiring to be in that space is also a really exciting prospect for how it can evolve in the years to come.
“Whilst in its pilot stage this year, we will use it for an array of opportunities for different athletes within our wider program setup.”
GIANTS Super Netball Reserves Fixture:
Saturday 1 June: Vixens v GIANTS at John Cain Arena
Saturday 8 June: GIANTS v Firebirds at 12pm at Ken Rosewall Arena
Sunday 9 June: GIANTS v Lightning at Ken Rosewall Arena
Saturday 15 June: GIANTS v Thunderbirds at Ken Rosewall Arena
Saturday 30 June: Fever v GIANTS at 7:30pm at Gold Netball Centre
Sunday 14 July: GIANTS v Swifts at 11:00am at Ken Rosewall Arena
National Pathways Squads Selected
Two of the GIANTS’ most promising young stars have been named in Netball Australia’s 19U National Squad.
Training Partner Monika ‘Otai and Academy member Hope White were both selected following strong campaigns at the week-long National Netball Championships in Frankston.
‘Otai was the captain of New South Wales’ 19U winning side, while White was named MVP in the gold medal match.
The pair were two of 30 athletes selected, with the successful cohort chosen based on a range of attributes including demonstrated skill and the potential for performance growth.
“Their selection was thoroughly well deserved,” O’Keeffe said.
“Both of them had a terrific week at Nationals, as did Olivia Harris our other GIANTS representative at the championships.
“Monika and Hope were standouts and Monika’s leadership throughout the week was outstanding, she’s definitely grown in that space and that was vital to the team's success. “
Netball Australia will deliver training camps across July for the selected athletes as an opportunity to develop their skills and train in a high-performance environment. The camps will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
Curtain Raiser: GIANTS Academy v Capital Darters
Some of the GIANTS’ next gen of talent will put their skills on display when the GIANTS Academy host the Capital Darters in a curtain raiser match ahead of the round three Suncorp Super Netball action on Sunday.
After a pre-season clash in Canberra earlier this year, the two teams will get another opportunity to face off, this time on the main stage at Ken Rosewall Arena.
“It’s another opportunity for them to see what the next level looks like,” O’Keeffe said.
“We have some of our training partners in the Academy so it’s a great opportunity for them to play with the Academy and lead by example, and for the younger ones it’s a great opportunity to put their skill to the test in a lifted environment.
“Premier league is the main match play for most of them at the moment, so to come together as the Academy and as a group that spend so much time together will be nice.
The Capital Darters last week travelled to Sydney to play the Swifts Academy and will relish again in another opportunity to hit the main stage as a collective.
“There has always been a nice connection between the GIANTS and Netball ACT,” said O’Keeffe.
“With them not participating in Super Netball reserves this year and not having the opportunites they were hoping, we’re keen to do what we can to help them in providing these sorts of opportunities.”
The two teams will play four 12-minute quarters, with the match getting underway at 1:45pm.
GIANTS Academy Squad for this week:
Ang Frketic
Monika ‘Otai
Millie Roach
Millie Tonkin
Eliza Burton
Hope White
Megan O’Keeffe
Latika Tombs
Jamie Podmore-Taylor
Charli Fidler
Aimee Landrigan
Violet Wetsteyn
