Netball NSW have announced their teams for the upcoming National Netball Championships in Hobart in April.
An Under-17s and Under-19s side will represent NSW at the upcoming championships which are set to be held at the Hobart Netball and Sports Centre from April 19-25.
Seven players from the GIANTS Netball Academy have been selected across the two sides.
GIANTS Academy Coach, Ali Tucker-Munro, congratulated the players selected.
“Selection in the NSW state team is such an exciting and wonderful opportunity for our GIANTS Academy girls,” she said.
“I'm delighted that they will have the honour to wear the Waratah on the national stage.
“I'm also excited for our club more broadly. The GIANTS family can be excited to know our Academy has some very talented youngsters in our midst, which I think bodes well for the GIANTS into the future.”
Tucker-Munro’s advice is to enjoy the experience.
“Some of my greatest netball memories and friendships were gained from competing at Nationals,” she said.
“Support one another when the going gets tough, be prepared to do the work on and off the court, and never take anything for granted.”
Tucker-Munro also recognised the efforts of those players not selected at this time, pointing out that many successful athletes have had setbacks in their journeys to the top.
“It's obviously very disappointing for the girls in our Academy who missed out, but one thing I think we do really well at the GIANTS is our ability to rally around our players, and work in partnership with them to recalibrate and re-set their goals,” Tucker-Munro said.
“So, whilst disappointed, we've already redirected their focus on areas to work on, in order to grow and evolve as players.”
The National Netball Championships have been cancelled the past two years due to the impact of COVID-19.
“I really feel for our young netballers around the country who've missed being exposed to attending a Nationals tournament,” Tucker-Munro said.
“One of the benefits of competing at Nationals is getting to compete against talented players across Australia in your age group. You get a feel for where your own skills and netball IQ is at, in comparison to your peers, which I think helps strengthen your goals and areas to focus on.”
The Championships are a pivotal phase of Netball Australia’s pathway and talent identification process.
“Nationals plays an important role in pathway development and ID,” said Tucker-Munro.
“This is summed up by the fact that our GIANTS Academy players (named in 2022 state teams), are treading a well-worn path that many of our current crop of SSN GIANTS have experienced.
“Sophie Dwyer, Amy Parmenter, Lauren Moore and Tilly McDonell are just a few of our GIANTS athletes who have donned the Waratah as part of their journey.
“This not only speaks to the depth of talent across NSW, but our club's ability to recognise and nurture homegrown talent. “
NSW UNDER-17s
Monika ‘Otai - St George
NSW UNDER-19s
Charli Fidler - Manly Warringah
Ella Johnson - Ku-ring-gai
Erin O’Brien - Northern Suburbs
Jamie Podmore-Taylor - Northern Suburbs
Lucy Matthews - Northern Suburbs
Millie Roach - Ku-ring-gai
