Young Bull Sharks’ state of euphoria
BOND University’s youth program is thriving, as evidenced by two fresh state titles and the selection of 11 of its netballers in Queensland junior teams for 2021.
With nine of their Sapphire Series and Ruby Series squad still eligible to play at under-18 level, the Bull Sharks were full of optimism entering the Queensland championships.
That optimism was wellplaced with the young Sharks sweeping all before them to take out the under-16 and under-18 titles after three hectic days of quality netball.
The under-16 group excelled in tight contests, staging last-minute comebacks to qualify for the semi-final and then in the semi-final itself.
The final saw them click into gear against the Wildcats, who had beaten them by two goals in the opening game of the tournament.
Bond took out the championship 35-21 in a display of mature netball.
With solid contributions across the court, the 191cm Elsa Sandhorst provided a towering target.
Talita Faifai capitalised on the focus of Sandhorst by hit
ting consistently from range, many shots coming from the Super Netball Super Shot arc.
Tweed Netball’s Tahlia Evans was named MVP of the final and she was one of five young Bull Sharks named in the 2021 Queensland squad.
Captain and 2020 Ruby Series debutante Bayley d’Hotman de Villiers (Hinterland) and Emma Nipperess (NGCNA) joined Sandhorst (Southport Carrara), Faifai (Hinterland) and Evans in the squad.
While the Bond under-18 team trod a more comfortable path to the final, the final it
self was remarkably similar. Matched up against a Tigers team packed with talent, the disciplined Bull Sharks again wore down their opposition to win 37-26.
With youngster Ashleigh Ervin coming off the bench to provide a towering defensive presence in the second half, the dynamic Sharks midcourt of Sapphire players Rylee Burns and Ava Black (grand final MVP) turned defensive pressure into quality ball for the shooters.
Six Bull Sharks were named in the Queensland squad with Abi Houston
(South Coast) capping a stellar tournament, defensive partner Kiara Ratu (Hinterland) and Tiarni Fennell marking her return from injury with selection alongside Ervin (NGCNA), Burns (Hinterland) and Black who had a breakout tournament.
Bond were coached by Darlene Karena (under-16) and Victor Potaka (under-18), integral members of the Sapphire Series program, and that experience showed.
With the first two state titles under its belt, the Bull Sharks franchise is looking towards a bright future.