Who’s Ready for the Riverina Road Trip?
The GIANTS are set to embark on an exciting four-day trip to the heart of New South Wales’ Riverina region, where they will take on the Melbourne Vixens in two highly anticipated pre-season matches in Griffith and Wagga Wagga this weekend.
The two matches will mark the first of the calendar year for Julie Fitzgerald’s side, following their trip to Tasmania with the Melbourne Mavericks in December.
The return of the Riverina road trip will once again provide a special opportunity for the fans in regional New South Wales to see the GIANTS in action and experience the thrill of Suncorp Super Netball in their own backyard.
The on-court action kicks off in Griffith on Friday, February 7, with the second match set for Sunday, February 9, in Wagga Wagga, where the game sold out in a matter of minutes.
The four-day trip to the state’s south west will continue to showcase the club’s ongoing commitment to engaging with regional communities, with the team set to participate in an array of community activities including school visits, shopping centre appearances and two GIANTS in the Making clinics.
The GIANTS will travel with a strong squad of 12 players, including Jo Harten, Jamie-Lee Price and Sophie Dwyer, as well as Jodi-Ann Ward who is fresh off her duties with the Jamaican Sunshine Girls.
Tilly McDonell is the only noticeable absentee from this trip, as she manages some minor knee soreness ahead of the start of the season.
Training partners Audrey Little and Kelea Iongi will travel with the squad, as well as GIANTS Academy athlete Olivia Harris.
GIANTS head coach Julie Fitzgerald said the entire club was thrilled to be returning to the region.
“We’re really excited to be heading back to Griffith and Wagga Wagga,” Fitzgerald said.
“Our connection with regional communities is something we value deeply and these trips are an important way for us to give back to two passionate netball communities and provide them with some experiences that they don’t get on a regular basis.
“The team have been working hard since returning from the Christmas break and we’re eager to put it into action against a quality side like the Melbourne Vixens this weekend.”
The game in Wagga Wagga is sold out, while limited tickets still remain for Friday’s game in Griffith.
Both games will be livestreamed via the GIANTS’ Facebook page.
Team List:
Sophie Dwyer
Jo Harten
Maddie Hay
Olivia Harris
Kelea Iongi
Matisse Letherbarrow
Audrey Little
Erin O'Brien
Jamie-Lee Price
Amy Sligar
Hope White
Jodi-Ann Ward
Riverina Road Trip Itinerary:
Griffith
Thursday, February 6
GIANTS in the Making Clinic
Griffith Regional Sports Centre
4pm-5:30pm
Friday, February 7
GIANTS v Melbourne Vixens
Griffith Regional Sports Centre
6:45pm
Wagga Wagga
Saturday, February 8
Shopping Centre Appearance
Wagga Wagga Marketplace
1:30pm-2:30pm
Saturday, February 8
GIANTS in the Making Clinic
Wagga Wagga Netball Association
3pm-4:30pm
Sunday, February 9
GIANTS v Melbourne Vixens
Wagga Wagga Multipurpose Stadium
12pm
Sold out