Fresh intake keen to learn from best at Academy
TOWNSVILLE Fire are confident of producing more national level talent after the unveiling of their 2019/20 Academy.
Entering its ninth season, the academy is designed to provide talented North Queensland basketballers with a pathway to Wnbl-level through elite coaching and game day experiences.
The academy’s intake of nine includes three new players, which coach Julie Duroux believed would play a big part in the club’s future.
“We’ve had a number of players who’ve come through school and QBL level and make their way through Fire Academy and this is a really promising squad, every single one of them have that potential,” she said.
“They’ve earned their way, they have the desire and work ethic which is really important and they definitely have the skills.”
Returning to the academy, Lauren Andrews, Chailee Ward, Shaylee Browning, Kaitlyn Henaway, Bree Stephens and Ainsley Minogue will be joined by first time trio Maddison Hill, Kaitlyn West and Lilly Walker.
Placing a bigger emphasis on all-round performance, Fire general manager Sam Pascoe said academy players would tackle everything from healthy living to leadership to complement on-court training and duties.
“While the academy is about skill development, it also focuses on all the elements required to transition into the WNBL one day,” she said.
“We also look to ensure we provide opportunity off the court for the players to develop as well, including leadership exercises done in conjunction with the Army, nutrition seminars and media training.
“It’s about creating a pathway program and an integral element in ensuring that we are continuing to develop North Queensland talent.”
Entering third seasons in the academy, Andrews and Ward said they were both “excited” to be part of the newlook program.