Carnival unearths top netball talents

WHAT a weekend.

The Sharon Finnan Cup Carnival was amazing – so much talent of players aged 11 years to seniors.

It began with indigenous musician and artist Dave Hudson performing at the opening ceremony.

We also had the exciting announcement from Netball Queensland and One Netball that Cairns and Marlins Player Wendy Stafford has been named the first One Netball Youth Ambassador.

The two-day carnival saw players who had never played netball take to the court, as well as the announcement of the 11-13 years FNQ Indigenous Squad and the 14-18 FNQ Indigenous Squad.

More than 70 players were talent ID’d from Palm Island, Townsville, Yarrabah, Cairns, Weipa, Tablelands and the Torres Strait Islands.

These players have now been invited to a camp in September to be run by Cairns Netball with mentors Sharon Finnan-White and Sunshine Lighting MVP Geva Mentor.

Netball has not slowed down in the north, with the up- coming Innisfail Netball Carnival to be held on August 5 and 6. For nominations contact Innisfail or find details on the Cairns Netball website.

The Fowlers Group Cairns Junior Carnival is on Sunday, August 13 for anyone wanting to enter a club or school team for ages 8 (netta) to 12. Also see the Cairns Netball website.

Lastly, Cairns Netball has Geva Mentor coming in the September school holidays to conduct coaching clinics and Cairns Netball will also be hosting an evening with International Superstars, to be held at the Shangri La. So keep Sunday, September 24 free.

Also coming in November is Beach Netball.

The exciting netball format will be on the Esplanade.

Cairns Netball are super excited to be a part of this national event in its first year in Cairns.