A first for Netball ACT, the 2019 team will be the inaugural all-abilities representative team for the member organisation and a significant move forward in delivering a broader all-abilities netball program.
The team will travel to Brisbane in October for the One Netball Marie Little Shield, which will be held at the Brisbane Netball Centre from the 12th to 14th. The ACT will compete against teams from around the country, with NSW the reigning champions from 2018.
Named after disabilities pioneer Marie Little OAM, the competition continues to grow as Netball Australia and the state organisations strategically focus on delivering accessible netball programs from grassroots through to representative levels.
Netball ACT Acting General Manager Nicole Bowles said of the newly formed team, “This will be the first time ACT have entered a team into the Marie Little Shield competition since its inception in 2013 and we are excited and proud to be able to provide this opportunity to the athletes, coaches and umpire”.
Bowles goes on to add, “Netball ACT is committed to providing opportunities for all members of our community to play netball and represent the ACT in a National competition, anyone, regardless of background or ability, is welcome in netball. The ACT Marie Little Shield team is only the starting point for Netball ACT with regards to broader community participation programs and engagement within the Canberra region.”
With a grant from The Confident Girls Foundation, Netball ACT has been able to fully fund the athlete’s involvement in the competition, and the partial support of parents and carers attending the event. In addition, official uniform supplier to Netball ACT, Struddy’s has also partnered with the program to fund all athlete player dresses and subsidise the full representative players kit for the 2019 competition.
Louise Bilston, President of Netball ACT is enthusiastic about NACT participating in the Marie Little Shield for the first time, building on the other inclusion projects being developed and opened up across netball in the ACT,
“we are extremely proud of the opportunity that this provides to our athletes and officials and what it signifies for our sport to offer inclusive pathways on the national stage for all our members. This builds on the foundations and opportunities we already have in netball for women 16 years and older to compete at a national level. Athletes from this team will inspire others within our community to participate in our wonderful game.”
The team presentation will be held at The Hellenic Club in the City on Sunday September 29th.
Athlete Selection
Latisha Burke
Olivia Runting
Charlotte Bailey
Lucy Barraclough
Ursula Steele
Jemima Heberden
Madeline Elphick
Eadynn Haak
Lucy Hamilton
Rebecca Parker
Rowena McBride
Coach: Dayna Waterworth
Assistant Coach: Marie Seuala-Pomale
Team Manager: Marilyn White
