Two Rays players go into squad
TWO of the Northern Rays rising stars have taken a major step on their path to the top of Australian netball.
Mackay product Zoe Mcintyre and Rays teammate Esther Ratalatala have been called up to the Queensland under-19 development squad after impressing at the state trials in Brisbane last week.
While the Rays struggled for consistency over the state championships, finishing sixth in the 18-and-under division, it did not stop the pair from impressing selectors with their individual games. Despite playing in the semi-professional Sapphire Series this season with the Northern Rays, Mcintyre said selection into a state team came as a surprise.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting to be called out,” she said. “When my name was called I was so surprised and happy.
“Having another Ray beside me is great and it’s great to see Northern talent get recognised,” Mcintyre said.
The 26-player development squad will meet for training camps before being narrowed down to assemble a Queensland side for next year’s national junior championships.
Mcintyre moved from Mackay at the start of the year to pursue her dream of playing netball at the top level and described her time in the Sapphire Series as a whirlwind.
“I’ve done so many great things and been exposed to so many great coaches,” she said.
“To get this opportunity after working so hard makes everything so worth it.”