Darling Downs Panthers ready to pounce in netball season opener
After a demanding and long pre-season which included a confidence boosting win the Darling Downs Panthers are ready for the 2023 Ruby netball series. Check out what co-captain Ada McKenzie ahead of their season opener here.
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Excited to kick off their season in front of home fans, the Darling Downs Panthers know how important home court advantage is.
Playing host to the Gold Coast Titans the Panthers will draw on the energy and support of their fans when on court.
“We all love playing at home so much, and I can’t stress enough how important they are to us (the team),” Panthers co-captain Ada McKenzie said.
“Playing at home in front of your family, friends and peers makes us all very proud,
McKenzie expressed her joy and gratification she along with her teammates experience playing in front of the young sides at the club.
“When those younger girls and boys come out and watch us play it is really special,” she said.
“It’s humbling knowing that these juniors look up to you so it is a big responsibility as we are representing them and our region as a whole.”
With a big 12-week pre-season under their belts, the Panthers are looking to reap the rewards from their hard work in the 2023 Ruby Series netball season.
“Pre-season was long but it was very important for us as a side to build those new connections and further those pre-existing ones,” she said.
Their pre-season win against the Sunshine Coast Thunder has proven to be a good platform and benchmark for the year.
“We got the win and we played pretty well but that now will be our minimum standard of play for the season,” McKenzie said.
“We are still finding the flow with a few of the newer girls in the side, forming and developing those combinations, but that’ll take a bit of time and games.”
The Panthers will play the Titans this Saturday, April 22, at Downlands College, starting at 5pm.
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