Addition of classy duo to boost Leprechauns bid
NETBALL SECOND-PLACED Leprechauns will be bolstered by the inclusion of a pair of Northern Rays starters for their Round 11 Cairns Netball Association clash this evening.
With the Sapphire Series club taking a week away from the competition with an eye to fixing their money troubles, Rays duo Chloe Fredericksen and Chantelle Tikitau will return to the local competition.
The 8-2 Leprechauns face the third placed North Cairns Tigers tonight in what will be a crucial match-up to decide finals positions.
Leprechauns coach Kym McPhee-Smith thinks the inclusions are important, not just for her club, but for the strength of the local competition as a whole.
“They have this week back until we find out what is going to happen with the Rays,” McPhee-Smith said.
“It is so good for local netball and important for the young players in our club that they can get some experience playing with the higher level netballers.
“It will boost their confidence playing with netballers of their calibre.
“It makes it a stronger quality game as well and it should make the competition better.” The Rays are still locked in a waiting game over their playing future after top Netball Queensland officials held talks with Townsville civic leaders earlier this week.
Netball Queensland CEO Catherine Clark met with Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill to discuss the future of the Rays, who will not compete in the next round of the Sapphire Series while the team attempts to resolve its finance issues.
In other games tonight, Sharks will be looking to keep their unbeaten run alive when they face Cutters. Sharks are 10-0 so far.
Meanwhile, Saints and Trinity Beach Bulldogs, the two clubs on the outside of the finals picture looking in, will be desperate for a victory to keep pace with the top four.