Bond University snare Aussie reps in return to Sapphire Series
Bond University are set to make an epic return to state league netball in 2023 — and have snared three Australian junior reps along the way. SEE THE FULL TEAM LISTS HERE.
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Bond University are set to make an epic return to state league netball in 2023 — and have snared three Australian junior reps along the way.
The Bull Sharks have gained re-entrance into the Sapphire Series after QUT’s withdrawal from both the Sapphire and Ruby divisions after two seasons as Sapphire runners-up.
In a major boost for the franchise, Bond have poached Queensland representative and former junior Aussie squad member Dakota Newson from Gold Coast Titans.
Midcourter Newson is regarded as one of the league’s most promising talents, and is hoping that a season with Bond will truly help cement her position in the Sapphire starting seven.
“2021 was a huge year for me being the youngest to debut in the comp with a new franchise (QUT) under some fantastic players that you now see playing in the Suncorp Super Netball,” Newson said.
“2022 was a challenging year to conquer and wasn’t what I planned out. I definitely had my ups and downs and being in that Ruby series (with the Titans) taught me a lot.
“In 2023 I am looking to take my netball to a different level and earn that midcourt position out on court for the 2023 Sapphire Series season.”
Fellow junior Queensland and Australian squad defender Abigail Houston will make her homecoming to Bond after a stint at the Ipswich Jets, while Toowoomba product and Aussie squad member Kaylin Van Greunan will add to the squad’s shooting circle as a 190cm tall post-up shooter.
2022 grand final player Hannah Le Sage will head down the M1 after time with QUT and the Brisbane North Cougars, and will make an equally tall and versatile option in the shooting circle.
Levelling out the team will be Bond Ruby Series wing defence Alannah Penny, Jets midcourters Ocean Karakare and Monique Piunti, and Carina Tigers’ goal attack Natasha Robinson and defenders Ella Spencer and Maddie Ryan.
New Sapphire coach Rebecca Stower should be a familiar name to netball fans as the mother of Queensland Firebird Mia Stower, and will bring over 35 years coaching experience to the side.
Stower said when selecting a brand new team her mission was to create a squad that felt like family.
“I think first and foremost I really looked at the whole athlete,” Stower said.
“It wasn't about trying to chase the big names or the ones that have got these higher accolades.
“We knew we needed to build a team from scratch and those players who displayed good behaviours were who we looked at first — and I think we’ve really hit the nail on the head.”
With player ages ranging from 16-25, the Bull Sharks will no doubt be a young team, but have a previous history of giving some of Queensland’s best netballers their start, including Sunshine Coast Lighting shooter Reilley Batcheldor.
“It’s always baffled me a little being an outsider looking in and seeing how promising these juniors are on the Gold Coast,” Stower said.
But, with the Cougars the current unofficial feeder club into the Super Netball, Bond will have to work hard to maintain the talent they nurture — or risk losing them to Brisbane clubs.
“It’s definitely something Kim (Boland, Ruby coach) and I have had discussions about, and it comes back to building those pathways through Bond from a young age so they feel like there’s a long game.
“I think some players feel like they need to move on, and sometimes they do, but other times you start that journey together and get challenged through those stages.”
The Ruby team has been selected as: Abby Boland, Elka Macaulay, Chloe Arnold, Olivia Mallard, Lily Phillips, Molly Parry, Joesi Gisinger, Holly Buckley, Tehya Hyssett and Harriet Nicholson.
See the full team lists here
SAPPHIRE
Kaylin Van Greunan
Position: GS
Former club: Darling Downs Panthers
Association: Highfields and Districts Netball Association
Toowoomba talent Van Greunan first represented Queensland U17s as a 15-year-old and was part of the Queensland Under 17’s team that won bronze at the National Netball Championships earlier this year.
Van Greunan is a national-level under 17 squad member and is part of the Australian Netball Elite Program.
Hannah Le Sage
Position: GA/GS
Former club: QUT
Association: Underwood Park Netball Association
Le Sage is a former national level beach volleyballer who brings plenty of height and athleticism to the court. Le Sage won the 2021 Ruby Series with the Cougars before coming runners-up in the 2022 Sapphire Series with QUT. She’s also a former Queensland U17 and U19 representative.
Natasha Robinson
Position: GA
Former club: Carina Tigers
Association: Townsville City Netball Association
From her birthplace in Ghana to a childhood in Townsville and now to the Gold Coast and a Bull Sharks berth for this powerful and energetic goal attack. She cut her netballing teeth in FNQ, but the distances she had to travel to play meant Robinson only made occasional association-level representative appearances during her formative years before finding a home at Carina Tigers and now at Bond.
Dakota Newson
Position: WA/C
Former club: Gold Coast Titans
Association: Hinterland District Netball Association
A product of Palm Beach-Currumbin High School’s highly regarded Netball Excellence program, Newson was promoted to the Gold Coast Titans Sapphire squad last season when Titans’ first choice WA Jordan Ngarimu announced she was expecting a baby. Newson was part of the bronze-winning Queensland U17 team at the National Netball Championships and captained the Titans U18 team to a state title earlier this year, earning her state squad honours.
Ocean Karekare
Position: C/WA
Former club: Ipswich Jets
Association: Hinterland District Netball Association
Karakare is a Queensland U19 representative player. She’s a hardworking midcourter who started out her netball journey on the Gold Coast before immersing herself in Ipswich Jets’ talent development program. She was part of the Queensland Under 17 team that won bronze at the National Netball Championships earlier this year and was also selected in the Under 17 Australian team. Supremely fit, fast and agile, her work alongside similarly spectacular midcourter Dakota Newson is a tantalising prospect.
Monique Piunti
Position: C/WA
Former club: Ipswich Jets
Association: Metropolitan Districts Netball Association
Monique Piunti is a highly skilled and lightning quick midcourter who played her junior representative netball at Carina Tigers before taking her chance at renowned talent nursery, Brisbane North Cougars. She played at Ipswich Jets last season. Another player to emerge out of the Queensland underage pathways program, Piunti’s precision and creativity at the circle edge will be exciting to watch.
Alannah Penny
Position: WD
Former club: Bond Bull Sharks (Ruby)
Association: South Barwon Football Netball Club (Victoria)
Alannah Penny is a Bond University physiotherapy student. As determined as they come, Penny’s selection is a significant reward for tenacity and hard work. Known for her physical presence, discipline, strength and fitness, Penny was the Bond Ruby side’s Bull Shark of the Year in 2022 even with her season ending early thanks to a significant leg injury. Coming off a limited preparation Penny trialled brilliantly from all reports, and her tough and competitive edge is sure to make life hard for opponents.
Abigail Houston
Position: GD/GK
Former club: Bond Bull Sharks/Ipswich Jets
Association: South Coast Netball Association
A biomedical student when not plying a trade as a tough, tenacious and smart circle defender, Houston will return to the franchise where she first experienced elite level netball. A Queensland and Australian representative at U17 and U19 levels, she also earned a spot as a training partner with the talent-stacked 2021 Queensland Sapphires squad.
Ella Spencer
Position: GD/GK
Former club: Carina Tigers
Association: Ellinbank and District Netball Association (Victoria)
A former Victorian, Spencer is a strong and determined defender who will enjoy working in defensive combination with fellow Victorian, Alannah Penny. Spencer played out her first full Sapphire season in 2022. Another ex-Tiger who will now call Bond home, she’ll be integral on the last line for the Bull Sharks.
Maddie Ryan
Position: GD/GK
Former club: Carina Tigers
Association: Metropolitan Districts Netball Association
A relentless defender capable of proving a real nuisance to her opponents, Ryan is known for her ability to create plenty of turnover ball at the most crucial moments. She played out her first full Sapphire season for the Tigers last year having been voted the Tiger’s Ruby side’s Most Valuable Player in 2021.
RUBY TEAM
Abby Boland
Position: GS
Former club: Gold Coast Titans (training partner)
Association: Highfields and Districts Netball Association (junior); Hinterland District Netball Association (senior)
The 6’1” shooter was sensational for the Gold Coast Titans U18’s during their winning campaign at the State Titles. She’s also a Queensland U19 squad member.
Elka Macaulay
Position: GA
Former club: Bond Bull Sharks
Association: Northern Gold Coast Netball Association
A second year Queensland U17 representative who performed strongly in her debut Ruby season for the Bull Sharks last year.
Chloe Arnold
Position: GA
Former club: ACT U19
Association: Canberra Netball Association
An assertive and athletic GA who has represented ACT at U17 and U19 levels.
Olivia Mallard
Position: C
Former Club: Gold Coast Titans U16
Association: Southport Carrara Netball Association (junior); Hinterland District Netball Association (senior)
A livewire midcourter who enjoyed an exceptional State Titles with the Gold Coast Titans U16s. Also a Queensland U17 squad member.
Molly Parry
Position: WA/WD
Former Club: Darling Downs Panthers
Association: Downey Park
A lively WA who can pinch hit in defence, Parry impressed with Darling Downs Panthers last season.
Lily Phillips
Position: C/WA/WD
Former Club: Bond Bull Sharks
Association: Southport Carrara Netball Association
Crafty, strong circle feeder who returns to the Bull Sharks fold after being the Ruby side’s Most Valuable Player in 2022.
Joesi Gisinger
Position: WD/GD
Former Club: Bond Bull Sharks
Association: Southport Carrara Netball Association
A tough, determined defensive option who never takes a backward step. A strong State Titles as a Bull Shark earned her a place in the Queensland U17 squad.
Harriet Nicholson
Position: GD
Former Club: Darling Downs Panthers
Association: Warwick Netball Association
An athletic, experienced defender, Nicholson is renowned for her strong one – on-one work and rebounding ability. She’s also a classically trained violinist and music teacher.
Tehya Hyssett
Position: GD/GK
Former Club: Gold Coast Titans
Association: Northern Gold Coast Netball Association
Tall, strong and ruthlessly determined, Hyssett was a standout performer for the Titans in her first Ruby year. Recently named for a second time in the Queensland U17 squad.
Holly Buckley
Position: GK/GD
Former Club: Bond Bull Sharks (training partner)
Association: Southport Carrara Netball Association
A hardworking and extremely strong GK who won a spot in the Queensland U19 squad earlier this year.
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