Cairns pair get big chance
THE real hard work starts now for Cairns netball tyros Rachel Fa’anana and Chantelle Tikitau in their bid to make the Queensland under-19 team.
The Marlin Coast Marlins duo were last week named in an extended squad but will need to impress in Brisbane in mid-January at training sessions and training camps leading to the final team selection in February.
Once finalised, the teams will continue their weekly training through to the National Netball Championships to be hosted at the new Brisbane Arena in the QSAC precinct from April 10-16, 2019.
“It was always a goal of mine to be selected in this team,” Tikitau, who plays goal attack for Leprechauns, said.
“But, I was not expecting anything because you cannot expect to make the Queensland team.
“We have worked hard to get in the squad and hopefully we can now maintain that and make the team proper next year.”
Tikitau believes playing against women in the Queensland State Netball League Division 2 Country with the Marlins helped the pair gain selection.
“Doing our strength and conditioning with JCU, it has helped us so much with our fitness and conditioning ourself to maintain performance,” Tikitau said.
The Netball Queensland selection panel saw the pair as part of the next crop of talent.