Athletes aged from 15-18 from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton make up the initial cohort selected.
As part of the recently announced Queensland Firebirds Futures Academy (QFFA) program, those athletes will receive support from QFFA coaches and staff to nurture their talent and develop their skills in their hometowns.
It’s part of NQ’s commitment to removing barriers to the highest levels of netball for regional athletes.
“The NQ Regional Queensland Firebirds Futures Academy will deliver programs in north Queensland that align with those offered by the QFFA in south-east Queensland,” NQ Head of Pathways Roselee Jencke said.
“This will ensure athletes have the same opportunities to improve their technical skills, have access to specialised educational opportunities and be more fully supported in the pathway.
“It’s exciting to commence this program with the announcement of athletes, officials and – later this week – coaches.
“This program will allow regions to keep talent in an area for longer, in turn providing more resources for the whole community to access and learn from.”
Among those selected is male athlete and Queensland Suns representative Daniel Statton, one of five Cairns-based athletes named including State selected trio Ella Sheppard, Charlotte Jonsen and Ciarn McBride and their Northern Rays teammate Brooke Harold.
There are two Townsville-based players in Northern Rays pair Sonnyanne Raggett and Chelsea O’Neill while Mackay trio Kate O’Brien, Shaylah Pershouse and Christa Nissen have also been selected along with Rockhampton-based Paige Jones, Grace Gabriel and Mia Victorsen.
Alongside the QFFA selections, Netball Queensland has selected four officials in its Regional Umpire Development squad.
Mackay pair Zoe Jaenke and Adriene Kannengiesser, along with Townsville’s Hayley Killer and Rockhampton’s Alice Maguire are the four umpires named.
2024 QFFA REGIONAL ATHLETE SELECTION
Grace Gabriel (Rockhampton)
Brooke Harold (Cairns)
Paige Jones (Rockhampton)
Charlotte Jonsen (Cairns)
Ciarn MacBride (Cairns)
Christa Nissen (Mackay)
Kate O’Brien (Mackay)
Chelsea O’Neill (Townsville)
Shaylah Pershouse (Mackay)
Sonnyanne Raggett (Townsville)
Ella Sheppard (Cairns)
Daniel Statton (Cairns)
Mia Victorsen (Rockhampton)
2024 NQ REGIONAL UMPIRE DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Zoe Jaenke (Mackay)
Adriene Kannengiesser (Mackay)
Hayley Killer (Townsville)
Alice Maguire (Rockhampton)
