Northern Mendi Rays star Jordan Ngarimu could link up with her partner Tino Fa’asuameauli in Gold Coast Titans colours
A Northern Rays star appears destined to take her talents away from the region, with the chance to forge a formidable family duo beckoning.
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Northern Mendi Rays star Jordan Ngarimu appears destined to take her talents away from North Queensland, with the chance to forge a powerhouse sporting couple with her partner beckoning.
Following reports that the Gold Coast Titans would push for a license to have a team compete in the Sapphire Series — Queensland’s premier netball competition — the Rays confirmed their ace centre had not committed to them for season 2022.
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Ngarimu has a child with Titans and Maroons lock Tino Fa’asuameauli, with the pair welcoming Alina into their lives in 2019.
In what was her first season back on the court after two years away from the game, Ngarimu regularly made the trip to Townsville from Southeast Queensland, only missing the side’s final match.
However it is understood the Titans will announce plans to apply for entry to the Sapphire Series this week as they plan to become a similar sporting presence to rival the Melbourne Storm and Sunshine Coast Lightning’s affiliation.
Such a development could unite Ngarimu with Fa’asuameauli — who extended his contract with the Titans until the end of 2026 last week — on the Glitter Strip, and the Rays are resigned to the fact their top player would not be returning to the North.
Rays coaching director and Diamonds legend Vicki Wilson confirmed Ngarimu would likely strive for selection with the new franchise should those plans come to fruition.
But while she said the talent Ngarimu possessed would be challenging to come up against, the club were confident incoming recruits would accommodate for the loss.
“It’s her competitiveness, she liked to compete and liked to compete hard,” Wilson said.
“She had a couple of years away from the court because she lived in the Melbourne Storm bubble there for one season … before that she had a young bub.
“I think she was getting her groove back towards the end of the season so she’ll be all the better for it. It’ll be tough coming up against her.
“She’s a great player and a great team player, and for her to be playing in a local team would suit her.”
Wilson said the club were desperate to improve their execution in attack, given they frequently found themselves in scoring situations in 2021 but were unable to capitalise.
Ngarimu was crucial to that service, and the Rays will be on the hunt for a centre up to task.
The Rays conducted their local trials throughout the weekend, with sessions in Mackay, Townsville and Cairns drawing more than 20 hopefuls to the court.
Wilson said a final squad of 10 would be locked in within the next fortnight, and those successful would be required to undergo extensive strength and conditioning prior to pre-season beginning in late-January.
The club has hinted that new recruits are also close to being finalised and are expected to “strengthen the team dramatically”, according to assistant coach Angela Cooper.
Wilson said those incomers would be revealed once they had selected the rest of the team, with the players expected to bring with them elite level netball experience.
She said the Rays’ North Queensland prospects were put through intense and relentless sessions in order to showcase to them how demanding it could be succeeding on the big stage.
“We know that we need to be stronger, so there’s some key players we’ve identified and we are hoping they will commit to the team. Hopefully we’ll know within the next fortnight,” Wilson said.
“We recognise we need to be better than last year, and they (the local prospects) needed to get a taste of the expectations of where we want to play at.
“I was very impressed, and what pleased me most was a lot of youngsters putting their hands up to be noticed, and the enthusiasm was exceptional as well as their effort.”
Originally published as Northern Mendi Rays star Jordan Ngarimu could link up with her partner Tino Fa’asuameauli in Gold Coast Titans colours
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