Exclusive insights: What prompted Crombie to trade Tigers for Titans in 2024 Sapphire Series shake-up

One of Australia’s best young netballers has made the dramatic switch from her Brisbane home, moving down the M1 for a whole new look in 2024. Full details on the move:

One of Australia’s best young netballers has made the dramatic switch from her Brisbane home, moving down the M1 for a whole new look in 2024.

Find out who, where and why as we exclusively reveal all.

TITANS name 2024 Sapphire and Ruby sides: See who made the cut.

17-year-old Tia Crombie sent shockwaves through Netball Australia in April 2023 when she missed out on selection into the Aussie Under-17 squad after boasting the highest goal percentage of both Under-17 and Under-19 divisions at the national championships.

Tia Crombie playing for Queensland Under-17s, 2023

Now with another season of Ruby league under her belt, Crombie has made the dramatic switch from her Tigers home and will don Titans colours in 2024.

The decision comes after a rocky 2023 HART Sapphire Series (Ruby) season, with the star goal shooter citing a need to grow is what drew her to the Gold Coast.

“I got the feeling at Tigers that I wasn’t learning anything and I wasn’t really changing how I play and adapt,” Crombie said.

“I didn’t learn how to move properly and effectively instead of just driving in and out of the circle.

“At Titans they have more facilities available for all their players and with (coach) Temepara being an ex-Silver Fern I want to learn off her.”

Missing out on Australian squad selection stuck with the teen throughout 2023, as did the feedback she was given.

“They told (Roselee Jencke) that they want to see more movement.

“It was hinted feedback from Netball Australia as to why I wasn’t selected.”

Crombie said she had brought her feedback up in discussions with the Tigers team in the hopes of being able to grow in that facet of her game.

Tia Crombie playing for Queensland Under-17s, 2023

“Even at the start of the season I was talking to both Sapphire and Ruby coaches and asked them if we could implement more moving shooter moving movements but just never got to it,” she said.

Under the guidance of Titans head coach Temepara Bailey, Crombie will now have the opportunity to take those steps.

“She can work with me to make me more of a moving shooter and not just the holding shooter.”

The step up from Ruby to Sapphire will come with more pressure than ever but the star said she is ready.

“I haven’t had many opportunities up in Sapphire from Ruby this year so it’s going to be a lot more physical but I’m looking forward to the challenge and how I can play against those more experienced players.”

Unfazed by what she calls the ‘word on the street,’ Crombie is eager to get on court as a Titan in 2024 alongside Firebirds Futures goal attack and fellow Under-18 star Talitah Faifai.

“I’m excited to see where Titans can take me and what they can do to help me change,” she said.

“Temepara was really welcoming.

“She wants the best for her club and I want the best for myself so she was open arms and willing.”

Sapphire Series netball Round 1 – Sunshine Coast Thunder Vs Tigers (black) = Tigers goal shooter Tia Crombie and thunders goal keeper Sophie Wall Nathan Saturday 22nd April 2023 Picture David Clark

Perhaps Crombie’s biggest supporter, Melissa Elmers is just as excited to see her daughter flourish in a new chapter.

“She needs to move on.

“I think it’s just about having that confidence … within herself and her game,” she said.

“As both a moving and holding shooter she’ll be able to go further through the pathways.

“She’ll be able to then take that to nationals and the show the Aussie selectors that she’s more than just a holding shooter and she does have more dimension to her game.”

Elmers said discussions about moving were a case of back and forth, but there was no doubt Crombie needed new scenery.

“At the end of the day she needed something as an individual, and if she’s not going to get it in one place it’s only natural to look elsewhere.”

According to Crombie and Elmers, Titans felt like the natural choice.

Tia Crombie for Queensland (QLD) netball 2023

“Seeing what they have been able to do in the past two years since being in HSS is exciting,” Elmers said.

“You can see the progression of them on the rise and you want your daughter to be a part of that to learn while surrounded by very talented, experienced netball players.”

For now Crombie will focus on Queensland squad selection as camp gets underway in early November.

As bottom age of the Under-19s age group, the teen faces a massive hurdle to prove herself as a top-12 player for the third year running.

The Under-17 and Under-19 teams for 2024 are set to be announced in mid-December, with the extended squads of 30 all vying for a spot in the group of playing 12 and four training partners.