Lethal Larsen leads JCU to golden glory against university rivals
LED by a machine-like effort from star centre Kayla Larsen, the James Cook University netball side has delivered a golden performance.
But according to the team, the job is only half done.
After defeating some of the best university netball sides across the country, the JCU team will now advance to the Division 1 nationals in September.
While they are hungry for more glory, JCU sport and recreation officer Jason Conn said for now the side was revelling in its effort on the Gold Coast.
Coached by university alumni Brady Smith and Jennifer Hamilton, the JCU side fought their way out of a “pool of death” that featured the tournament’s top three sides including Western Sydney University and fellow grand finalists La Trobe University.
The side went on to put in a commanding run through the finals beating Victoria University and Deakin University before meeting La Trobe, which they had beaten in the pool rounds, in a physical gold medal contest.
Northern Rays attacking weapon Zoe Mcintyre knocked down some impressive goals to keep the JCU side in front throughout the clash before taking the win 42-30.
“I couldn’t be more proud of what these girls have achieved for JCU,” Conn said.
“Just play to your best, never give up, and never give in. That is our university motto, and these girls epitomised that.
“There were 18 university sides at the tournament and to come out on top of them all was a great effort. But we now turn our focus to September.”
Larsen was named the best across the tournament for the JCU side after she played massive minutes in the middle of the court.
With a lack of back-up centre options, the team feared their centre rotation would be tested throughout the tournament’s later stages. But it was not the case with Larsen playing every minute of their three finals clashes. “She was a machine, she pretty much played every game in the centre circle,” Conn said.
“We were a bit thin in the centre role.
“But it was never a concern. We played eight games and I think there was one or two games where she sat on the bench or played in a different position to ease the workload.”
It was also a masterstroke from the JCU sport and recreation department to bring back former players Smith and Hamilton.