Whitsunday Sharks hosted a specialist netball clinic led by Commonwealth Games medallist and former Diamonds star Sharon Finnan-White

A Commonwealth Games medallist and former Diamonds star led an inaugural specialist clinic in Mackay for the 2021 squad selection.

Isabella Hagenbach, 13, Commonwealth Games medalist and former Diamonds star Sharon Finnan-White, Hayley Rowlands, 16 and Danielle Ramsdale.

Hayley Rowlands got involved with netball four years ago because her friends played.

The now 16 year old liked the sport so much she decided to take it “a bit more seriously” and became involved with the Whitsunday Sharks two years ago.

She was one of 37 Mackay teens aged 14 to 18 who took part in the inaugural specialist Shark Tank clinic with Commonwealth Games medallist and one of only two Indigenous women to represent Australia playing netball Sharon Finnan-White OAM.

Hayley wants to go “as far as possible” with the sport.

Isabella Hagenbach, 13, Danielle Ramsdale, 14 and Hayley Rowlands, 16 attended the inaugural Whitsunday Sharks specialist clinic with Commonwealth Games medallist and former Diamonds star Sharon Finnan-White.

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“It’s a bit harder for us regional girls but with programs like this it’s making those steps a lot easier,” the teen said.

Whitsunday Regional Netball Souths Whitsunday Sharks invited Finnan-White for the specialist session and selection on Sunday as a step towards forging a new pathway after Mackay was removed from state feeder competition – the Ruby Series – in 2019.

“For us it’s building pathways,” Whitsunday Sharks coach Natalie Ramsdale said.

“For girls in regional areas we don’t have the same opportunities as what the metro teams do, so we’re trying to give these girls that opportunity to showcase their skills.”

After the restructure Townsville became the hub for netball in North Queensland – so any Mackay-Whitsunday region players wanting that next level competition would need to travel 4.5 hours.

“What we’re trying to achieve here is give them the skill set in their own town,” Ramsdale said.

Commonwealth Games medallist and former Diamonds star Sharon Finnan-White led a special netball clinic for the Whitsunday Sharks

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Thirty-seven girls attended the clinic to learn from the former Diamonds star, who said she was “impressed” by the depth of talent the region had to offer.

“I’m very keen to pass on my knowledge to these younger players, particularly players from the regions who don’t get as much opportunity to have elite coaches come and work with them,” Finnan-White said.

She will be one of the selectors deciding the 20 girls for the 2021 squad from which U16 and U18 teams will be chosen.

“It’s about looking at opportunities and how we can create more involvement for these players,” she said.

Finnan-White will work with the squad over the next five to six months, she said, to follow their development.

The former Australian rep player has recently launched a new business called Institute of Sport, Culture and Leadership, which focuses on providing opportunities pathways across all areas of sport.

However Finnan-White, an Anaiwan and Biripi woman, said the main focus would be encouraging Indigenous netball players while giving them leadership skills and building confidence.

37 girls aged 14 to 18 attended the inaugural Whitsunday Sharks specialist clinic and selection on Sunday at Whitsunday Anglican School

She said only two Indigenous women had ever played for Australia, herself included.

“I retired 20 years ago and we still haven’t seen one come through,” she said.

Hayley Rowlands said having an elite coach like Finnan-White gave them a different take on the game.

“Especially from someone who’s played at such a high level,” she said.

“(The focus is) not just on court skills, but the mindset of an athlete.”

Danielle Ramsdale, 14, has been playing since she was six years old.

She said she loved the team atmosphere and “how it’s just fun playing with my friends”.

She hoped learn more confidence in her “game play”.

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Originally published as Whitsunday Sharks hosted a specialist netball clinic led by Commonwealth Games medallist and former Diamonds star Sharon Finnan-White