BondSPORT recruit stalled by Cup

THE Bond University Bull Sharks netball team have been dealt another big blow, losing their latest signing to international commitments before she had even arrived in Australia.

After conceding that current Australian Diamond Gretel Tippett wouldn’t play a game for the Bull Sharks this year despite being allocated to the club by netball Queensland, Bond went about securing talent and experience to support their young list.

Late last week, the Bull Sharks got their girl, with South African Commonwealth Games netballer Sigrid Burger putting pen to paper to come and play in the Sapphire Series, only for the 191cm goal shooter to receive a last-minute invitation to represent her country at the Netball World Cup.

“We booked her flight and she got visa clearance last week,” said Bond University director of netball Stuart Allen.

“She was on route to us and transferring to a Qantas flight in Johannesburg when the South Africa Proteas called her into their team for the World Cup.”

Fresh off playing for the Surrey Storm in the UK Vitality League, Burger will now have the chance to add to her 13 country caps after her teammate Ine-Mari Venter was withdrawn from the Proteas due to injury.

Despite getting the opportunity to gain international experience, Allen said that the 22-year-old couldn’t wait to make her way to Australia when the World Cup concludes, albeit a few weeks later than intended.

“After the pre-season tournament, we identified the need for maturity and thought we needed a big presence in the shooting circle so we put some feelers out,” he said.

“Sigi couldn’t have been more enthusiastic. She’d heard about Sheryl (coach Sheryl Burns) and our program here so she was in from the get go. She asked us about our culture and the chance to develop our own game but at this stage, it’s the perfect match.”

The Bull Sharks will play the Carina Leagues Club Tigers on tomorrow at the QSNC at 3.20pm.