The Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) is excited to announce the official commencement of the 2024 netball season, supported by Greater Bank. The program launched with an orientation and team building weekend held on February 10th and 11th at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst with 20 athletes, four umpires and a six-member squad staff coming together.
The weekend saw athletes participate in Netball NSW-specific skills and movement screening, agility and endurance testing, skills sessions and match simulations. These two days provided an opportunity for athletes to also meet their new teammates and build team chemistry with a live-in camp held at the Charles Sturt University Bathurst Campus.
WRAS Executive Officer, Candice Boggs was full of praise for the 2024 cohort which reflected the potential of the regional athletes.
‘This year’s squad features a lot of skill and ability which is a testament to the talent displayed across our trial dates. Across the opening weekend it was fantastic to see the squad bond together and we are looking forward to seeing the potential of this squad grow across the coming months.’
The Academy’s netball program plays an important role in the Netball NSW Athlete Pathway by recognising, monitoring and developing the skills of young netballers. The WRAS Greater Bank netball squad will come together regularly over the coming months at various locations across the Central West and train under the guidance of head coach Susan Diver-Tuck with the umpires to be mentored by umpire co-coaches Michelle Ensor and Shelly Hutchinson.
The squad will also attend a Netball NSW Academy Camp in March which provides a terrific opportunity to train with the other regional academy athletes and coaches before the squad travels to Wagga in April to compete at the Your Local Club Academy Games.
Following a successful partnership with Greater Bank which commenced in 2018, WRAS joined the tri-partisan collaboration with the Hunter and Central Coast Academies of Sport. The programs highlight the collective effort to elevate netball at the grassroots level and beyond. Through structured training programs, mentorship opportunities and financial education, participants are equipped with the tools necessary to thrive both on and off the court.
Chief Distribution Officer Emma Brokate said that Greater Bank was proud to continue the Academy partnership. “The netball and netball umpires programs provide so much more than skills development,” Ms Brokate said. “They also promote teamwork, leadership, and work ethic, helping these athletes grow into confident young adults. “We can’t wait to see what they achieve this year!”
2024 Greater Bank Netball Squad:
Marley Aplin (Orange)
Isla Bassingthwaighte (Dubbo)
Seona Chapman (Coonabarabran/Bathurst)
Alice Christie-Johnston (Bathurst)
Grace Dunford (Parkes)
Emily Fairman (Dubbo)
Ava Francisco (Dubbo)
Georgia Garlick (Molong)
Emily Hines (Dubbo)
Adeline Hollingworth (Orange)
Millicent Hollingworth (Orange)
Lily Howard (Bathurst)
Isabel Marchant (Dubbo)
Ruby Morgan (Dubbo)
Kayla Morrissey (Gulgong)
Charlie Schmich (Orange)
Grace Simpson (Orange)
Mikayla Smith (Dubbo)
Clancy Toshack (Dubbo)
Lucy Wilson (Orange)
2024 Greater Bank Netball Umpires Squad:
Theane Gouws (Dubbo)
Kaylee Roberts (Mudgee)
Olivia Walsh (Dubbo)
Emilyn Whan (Mudgee)
2024 Greater Bank Netball Squad Staff:
Susan Diver-Tuck (Orange) Head Coach
Karen Weekes (Dubbo) Assistant Coach
Michelle Duffell (Millthorpe) Manager
Michelle Ensor (Dubbo) Umpire Coach
Shelley Hutchinson (Dubbo) Umpire Coach