Six of GIANTS’ most promising up-and-coming athletes will head to the Australian institute of Sport in Canberra today for the Australian 21-and-under National camp.
The camp will be used to identify athletes that will be selected in the Australian World Youth Cup Team that will compete in Fiji in 2021.
Defender Matilda McDonell, training partners Sophie Dwyer, Matisse Letherbarrow, Clare Iongi, Latika Tombs (camp participant only) and Academy athlete Amy Sligar will all represent the GIANTS.
GIANTS Academy athlete Annie Miller is also eligible for Australian World Youth Cup selection but will unfortunately not be attending the camp due to injury.
19-year-old Matilda McDonell said she is really looking forward to the camp.
“We've been doing lots of solid preparation for the past few months on the court and in the gym, so I feel that we are fit and ready to go,” she said.
“I'm keen to develop my skill acquisition, build our team culture and learn more tactics on how to overcome our opposition.
“I'm also really excited to learn under our coaches Kylee (Byrne), Cathy (Fellows) and Michelle (den Dekker), and see their different perspectives of the game.
“It'll be really good to see all of the interstate girls again and continue to develop our bond during camp as well.”
All of the six representatives from New South Wales come from within the GIANTS Netball program.
New South Wales has the second highest representation, following South Australia who have seven after a strong performance at the 2019 National Netball Championships taking out both the 17U and 19U age divisions.
“It's also really exciting to see the strong representation of GIANTS netball athletes attending,” said McDonell.
“I think it really exemplifies our development as a club for both the present and the future.
“All of the girls have been training really hard and it'll be awesome to get on court and in the classroom with them.”
McDonell is one of just two athletes within the squad that holds a full-time position within a Suncorp Super Netball Squad.
“I think the opportunity to be able to be involved in Suncorp Super Netball while still being eligible for Australian 21-and-under team is really special and one which I am so grateful for,” McDonell said.
“It'll be awesome to be able to transfer my knowledge and development from the GIANTS space to this environment and lead by example in the intensity you have to bring to each session, as well as doing all of the little things right.
“I learn from class athletes and staff at GIANTS, so I want to make them proud and keep pushing to get better every time I hit the court.
“I'll also be able to learn so many new things on and off the court at this camp, which will be great to incorporate into the GIANTS family as well.”
A second selection squad will be announced at the beginning of August 2020.
