The GIANTS are excited to confirm their Training Partners for 2023 with the retention of four of the most promising players in the Netball New South Wales pathway.
As the GIANTS continue their commitment to supporting local talent, Jemma Donoghue (Northern Suburbs), Charli Fidler (Eastwood Ryde), Ang Frketic (Liverpool) and Erin O’Brien (Hills District) have all re-signed as training partners for the upcoming season.
Both Donoghue and Frketic got a taste of Suncorp Super Netball during the 2022 season, stepping into the game day team and taking the court on separate occasions.
Meanwhile, in their first year as Training Partners, 18-year-olds Fidler and O’Brien attended their first National Underage championship, matching it with the country’s best in their age division. The pair had successful campaigns and earnt selection in the Australian National 19U squad, attending a camp at the Australian Institute of Sport.
All four players also participated in the Australian Netball Championships (ANC) in Traralgon, which saw the nation’s emerging talent battle it out in a week-long tournament. Donoghue, Frketic and O’Brien represented the GIANTS Academy, while Fidler represented the ACT.
Head Coach Julie Fitzgerald said she is pleased to retain the quartet.
“Each of these players have been identified on their individual strengths and potential and I look forward to seeing how they continue to develop in our environment,” Fitzgerald said.
“Ang has blended into our team seamlessly on multiple occasions over her two seasons as a Training Partner. She’s an accurate and consistent goaler and she showed what she was capable of at ANC, shooting at 100 per cent across six games.
“Jemma has improved immensely over the past 12 months, and she brings such great versatility. She can play on the wing; she matched it for half a game against Helen Housby in round one last season and she’s previously played centre. Her future is certainly exciting.
“Charli is a developing player, but she shows some real potential and excitement. She’s strong, she’s hungry for the ball, she’s got a lot to give and I'm looking forward to seeing her progress from another year in this environment.
“Erin is also a talent of the future. She’s got the height and reach of a reliable defender but she’s also a hard worker and she’ll do whatever it takes to reach the top.”
The GIANTS will also have an elevated tier within their Academy, which will see additional players experience further training and development opportunities alongside the official Training Partners.
