By Grace Knight
Four Bull Sharks players have been chosen to represent Queensland following their standout performances at the Nissan State Titles in Brisbane.
Bond Ruby squad player Holly Buckley has been named in the Under 19s squad, while Elka Macauley, Joesi Gisinger and Maia Masoe have been selected in the Under 17s.
They will have their first training camp in November to prepare for the National Championships in Darwin in April next year.
The recognition is extra sweet for Buckley after she sustained an ankle injury on the fourth and final day of the competition, ending her campaign.
Bond’s Under 18s team finished with a bronze medal while the Gold Coast Titans were crowned the overall champions out of 12 clubs.
“The standard of play from both our Bull Sharks teams was amazing,” said Bond’s Netball Operations Manager and Bull Sharks Ruby Coach Kim Boland.
“Our Under 18s only dropped one game in their pool which was fantastic. We had extremely tough draws and it was difficult when we had to cross over into the other pools.
“All our players were really fatigued but kept fighting.”
The Under 16s, who were the defending champions, finished in fifth place. The Carina Leagues Club Tigers took home the trophy.
“The Under 16s were disappointed not to end up in the top four however they took some learnings from their two losses and from then on, they were undefeated.
“They could have easily dropped their heads and crumbled under the pressure especially at a young age like that,” said Boland.
Bond will hold trials for the University’s Ruby and Sapphire netball teams in November before the pre-season begins at the end of January.