PANTHERS COUP
Club stoked with 2018 state league draw
NETBALL:
In a huge boost for the region Netball Queensland have announced the Darling Downs Panthers will host five home games in next year’s State League.
After just one home game last season, Panthers coach Bec Stower said the announcement has already benefited the club.
“We already have two pretty good sponsors on board,” she said.
“We have never been able to offer them that local exposure before so it’s really exciting for people to be keen to get on board and support us.”
She said the success of the last home game was a huge contributing factor in the decision to host more in the upcoming season.
“We got such a good crowd and so many young kids,” she said.
She also hoped playing half the season at home will encourage more players to try out for the team in January.
Most importantly however Stower hoped being out in the community more will show there is a pathway through the Panthers.
“Instead of kids saying they want to be a Diamond or Firebird we want them to want to be a Panther first,” she said.
“To give them a picture of what they’re working towards and what pathway they can go down.”
She said Darling Downs representative Mia Stower was a prime example.
She has gone through the regional academy, state and national under age squads and has just been named in the Queensland Fusion squad alongside high-profile netballers like former Australian Diamonds defender Chanel Gomes.
“She has been really good for our kids to see,” Stower said.
Opens and under-19 trials will be held on Sunday, January 21.