Indoor players power on

TOWNSVILLE indoor netball players Zoe Rebgetz, 12, and Carly Gilchrist, 17, are shooting goals in more ways than one.

The talented pair are looking ahead to another big year of netball after notching up some big achievements in 2017, including state and national honours.

Playing under the Wildcatz Indoor Sports banner, Zoe and Carly gained selection in the under- 12 and under- 17 Queensland indoor netball teams respectively earlier this year, leading to Australian team selection.

Zoe was named in the Australian under- 12 merit side following her outstanding performances at the state championships in Melbourne, and Carly played for Australia at the Junior Indoor Netball World Cup in South Africa.

Also representing Townsville on the big stage was Lance Folbigg, 17, who made the Australian under- 17 merit team.

All three Townsville talents are now gunning for further representative honours in 2018.

“For them to get selected in Queensland and Australian teams is a huge achievement,” Wildcatz manager John Reid said.

“Compared to cities like Melbourne and Sydney, which can have 12 indoor centres within a 30 minute radius of each other, we obviously don’t have regular competition like they do.

“So for our kids to make these teams is a fair effort.”

Reid said the local indoor netball scene was going from strength to strength.

“Each Saturday we have about more than 50 teams here from under- 18s to under- 16s for our weekly junior competition,” he said.

“Our coaches are also getting good training and we’re always holding clinics.

“I’m sure we’ll have some more representative players in the notso- distant future.”