A life in sport was probably always on the cards for Atherton teenager Asha Lynch-Simmons.
Having a father who played professional basketball and related to former Australian Diamond Janine Ilitch, it’s no surprise the teenager has a natural athletic talent.
But it wasn’t until joining the Queensland Firebirds Futures Academy (QFFA) as a regional athlete in the academy’s inaugural intake of 2024 that Asha started to seriously think netball could be something more than just a fun game with her friends.
“I just don't think I would have made it this far if there wasn't this pathway,” Asha said.
“I'd probably still be playing in Atherton, just playing club.
“Before this program, I think I was just happy to just play in Atherton, but now this has opened up so many doors and now I think I could definitely go further in my netball hopefully. SSN one day, maybe (play for) Australia?"
Like so many regional athletes, Asha has had to make sacrifices to pursue her netball goal – not least the regular three-hour round trip journeys into Cairns.
“It’s pretty hard, especially on school nights,” she said.
“But that’s why the Future Firebirds program has been really good. I still have to travel, but not as far – as in to Brisbane or anything like that.”
The QFFA program has also enabled Asha to be recognised outside of far north Queensland, earning selection in the initial Queensland 19 and Under selection following last year’s State Titles in Brisbane.
The athletic defender represented her region in a Netball Queensland invitational team last year at that tournament but is set to represent the Far North Flames after being part of that team’s campaign in the inaugural Ruby North competition where she was named the Flames’ MVP for Round 2 in Townsville.
Her progression over the past 18 months is something Asha strongly puts down to her experience as a QFFA athlete and the learning experiences it has offered to her.
“The first few training sessions I did, we did so much fitness, I was not prepared at all, but it's been really good,” she said.
“It's definitely helped me be fitter and tactical-wise, on the court, it’s definitely helped me improve my game and enabled me to be prepared to compete against the best netballers in the state.
“We are really fortunate to have elite coaching and pathways in the regions.”
