Just over a year ago, on March 2, 2021, the GIANTS added two new training partners to their list of four ahead of the 2021 Suncorp Super Netball season.
That article led with the introduction that two more of New South Wales’ most promising young stars were to join the club as training partners.
The two players brought onto the extended list were young, emerging players by the name of Amy Sligar and Jemma Donoghue.
Sligar made her debut in round two of season 2021 and earnt herself her first Suncorp Super Netball contract for the 2022 season.
After a year learning from some of the best in the SSN competition, Donoghue emerged as a permanent fixture throughout the GIANTS’ 2022 pre-season campaign before making her debut in the opening round clash against the Swifts on Saturday.
Just over a year on from their signings as training partners, Sligar and Donogue have both made their SSN debuts and are emerging as GIANTS of the future.
20-year-old Donoghue played the entire second half of the highly anticipated NSW Derby and Grand Final re-match at Ken Rosewall Arena.
The GIANTS’ newest capped player said it felt absolutely incredible.
“It was literally the most surreal experience and definitely a pinch me moment,” said Donoghue.
“I kept thinking to myself how crazy it is that not even that long ago, I was just a fan sitting in the crowd thinking how amazing the players were on court and I was one of those players on Saturday night that people were there to watch.”
With their careers continuing to intertwine, Donoghue was told on the Monday that she would come into the squad of 10 for Saturday’s game to replace Sligar, who was ruled out due to COVID. But the chance of a debut became a reality on Friday when defender Lauren Moore was also ruled out of the game under the Health and Safety protocols.
“I found out Monday from Julie that I was coming into the 10 and I was so excited even just for the experience to be at game day with the girls for the first time, whether I took the court or not,” Donoghue said.
“Obviously with Loz going down later in the week, the chance of me taking the court became much higher so I definitely got a bit more nervous leading in Saturday.”
As she ran out for the second half, becoming GIANT #25, Donoghue felt lucky to have her immediate family and friends there to support her, even with some extended family having to tune in from overseas.
“The rest of my extended family who live over in the UK obviously couldn’t be there in person, but it was amazing that they could call watch with the new streaming service and experience it all the same,” she said.
Whilst Donoghue got a taste of what Suncorp Super Netball brings during pre-season matches, it was quite the GIANT jump for the youngster, who is still yet to play in Netball Australia’s underpinning pathway competition, the Australian Netball League (Australian Netball Championships) due to the COVID interruptions of the past two years.
“The jump from state and academy programs is definitely a big one. The intensity of the game is considerably higher, and the standard of the players are world class,” Donoghue said.
“I think the speed of the game is probably the biggest difference, the ball moves so much faster, and the players are so much smarter with how they use their speed and play the ball.
“But having played in so many of the pre-season matches, and against the Swifts, gave me a sense of confidence.
“And I honestly just tried to remember that it was just a game of netball and that I’ve played netball so many times before, so just go out there and do it.”
Donoghue’s initiation couldn’t get much tougher as she was tasked with taking on one of the world’s best goal attacks in a tight match.
“Playing Helen Housby in my debut was amazing, she’s such an experienced and talented athlete,” Donoghue said.
“She was a difficult opponent to come up against, but it was also a huge learning experience and one that I will take so much from and use throughout the rest of my netball career.
“That final minute and a half where we just held possession was definitely the slowest minute and a half of my life – I’m sure Julie and all the members and fans can relate.
“I kept looking up at the clock and thinking that surely more time had passed since I last looked.”
Since COVID became a reality in 2020, extended squads and protocols have provided some early opportunities for young players, with depth of talent and extended squads more important than ever before
It’s an opportunity Donoghue is ready to take, whenever it next comes her way.
“This was only the first round and COVID is still such a current issue, so anyone could be needed at any point throughout the season,” Donoghue said.
“We’ve been told so much throughout pre-season this year that we all have to be ready to be in the 10 at some point and potentially even take the court, so I think we’ve all been training with that mindset.
“Whilst some players may have to miss games throughout the season because of COVID, it provides an exciting opportunity for the younger training partners and I’m certainly grateful for the one I got on the weekend.”
Be there and #StandUnited with the GIANTS in their first home game of season 2022 when they take on the Queensland Firebirds on Tuesday, April 12 at Ken Rosewall Arena. CLICK HERE to secure your tickets.
