The GIANTS are delighted to announce three of their training partners for the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season.
Star teenage shooter Monika ‘Otai will return as a training partner in 2025 alongside a newcomer and a familiar face from the past.
Regarded as a star of the future, ‘Otai will continue as a training partner for a second consecutive season after being elevated to the position ahead of the 2024 season following starring performances at underage national and international level.
A former GIANTS Academy product, the 19-year-old continues to cement herself as one of the brightest young stars in Australian netball, with the teenager shooter a part of this year’s 21/U Australian squad which toured Fiji in preparation for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup.
‘Otai also captained Australia to gold in the country’s debut at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Tobago last year.
Joining her as a GIANTS training partner in 2025 for the first time is fellow GIANTS Academy product Hope White.
A crafty midcourter, White has been rewarded for a stellar 2024 campaign which saw the teenager also feature in the 21/U Australia squad for its tour of Fiji alongside ‘Otai.
White’s brilliant 2024 campaign also saw her represent the NSW U19s side where the year 12 student was named the grand final MVP in the national championship's gold medal match.
Joining ‘Otai and White as training partners in 2025 is a familiar face in Kelea Iongi who joins the program after a year playing in New Zealand with the Central Pulse.
Previously a GIANTS training partner for three years until the conclusion of the 2022 season, Iongi is a talented and versatile 183cm defender capable of playing in numerous positions.
A former under 21 and under 19s Australian representative, Iongi will add a wealth of experience and act as an exceptional training resource throughout the 2025 SSN season.
GIANTS head coach Julie Fitzgerald said she was thrilled to confirm three of her training partners for the 2025 season.
“It’s very exciting to have these three locked away as part of our training partner cohort for next season,” Fitzgerald said.
“We see all three of them being able to complement our training environment and help contribute to what we’re trying to achieve both now and in the future.
“Monika is a strong and accurate shooter who is an exciting prospect for the future and one with strong leadership potential through her roles with junior state and national teams.
“After seeing her growth with us as a training partner in 2024 I’m excited about what her future holds as she continues to develop in our high-performance environment.
“I’m just as excited about the addition of Hope to our program who has also come from our Academy and really warrants her inclusion as a training partner following her string of impressive performances this year.
“Hope is a very creative midcourter who possesses some flair and is capable of playing both wing attack and centre. She has great vision, a strong ability to read space, and really feeds shooters accurately.
“And rounding out our first three training partner announcements, it’s fantastic to welcome Kelea back to the GIANTS.
“Kelea spent three years with the club previously and we’re thrilled to have her back after gaining valuable experience in New Zealand.
“Kelea is very strong in the air, has great anticipation, and can play all three defensive positions.
“With these three training partners, plus another couple that we’ll elevate across the pre-season, we’re really happy with the young talent we have as part of our program for 2025.”
The GIANTS will return for pre-season in staggered groups over the next few weeks as they prepare for the 2025 Suncorp Super Netball season.
