by Grace Knight
Kaylin Van Greunen has been a shining light for the Bull Sharks in their tough return to the Sapphire Series - and we could be seeing a lot more of her on campus next year.
Currently finishing her final year of high school at Downlands College in Toowoomba, the talented 17-year-old spends up to six hours a week driving to the Gold Coast for training.
That could change, with Van Greunen hoping to be back at Bond next year, potentially in more ways than one.
“So far, the whole club environment at Bond has been the best thing I’ve ever been in,” she said.
“I love the team, all the staff, and just everything about it here.”
That could extend to study opportunities.
“I’ve been looking into it quite a lot recently and having spoken to a lot of people about it, I think it could be a great experience for me,” she said.
“It would certainly save me a bit of time driving to trainings if I was living here too.”
Van Greunen joined the Bull Sharks at the beginning of 2023 after playing three years in the Ruby Series with the Darling Downs Panthers.
Her decision to make the switch was inspired by her coach at the Panthers, Bec Stower, who joined Bond as Sapphire coach on their return to the big league.
“Bec was my coach for three years while I was at the Panthers and I loved working with her,” Van Greunen said.
“So when she made the move to Bond, I decided that I would too.”
Van Greunen said the step up from the Ruby Series to Queensland’s elite Sapphire Series has been challenging.
“I was definitely pretty intimidated in my first game,” she said.
“But now that we’ve reached the end of the season, I think it’s been so great for my overall development.”
Widely regarded as one of the game’s most exciting up-and-comers, Van Greunen brings a wealth of experience and skill beyond her years.
Standing at 1.88m, she’s one of the tallest goal shooters in the competition and a tough opponent for any goalkeeper who gets the task of standing her.
Her height advantage allows teammates to lob passes over opponents, whilst with her ability to be agile when needed makes her a very versatile player.
Now nearing the end of the 2023 Sapphire season, Van Greunen hopes to be back at Bond next year, potentially in more ways than one.
In addition to her involvement in the Bull Sharks Sapphire team, Van Greunen is also a member of the Australian U19 squad and will soon travel to Canberra for a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport.
Whilst in Canberra Van Greunen and the squad will play a scratch match against the New Zealand national team.
After the training camp, Van Greunen will have the opportunity to be categorized and potentially enter another program for further elite training.
Van Greunen says her goal is simply to continue pushing herself and make it to the highest level that she can.
“Whether that’s in the SSN, Lightning, or Firebirds, I really want to get as far as I can,” she said.
“My dream would be to make the Australian Diamonds one day but for the time being I want to keep making good results and see where it leads me.”