Darling Downs Panthers: The new coach and players who will lead netball team in 2023

With a new head coach, a few fresh faces and a new season ahead, the Darling Downs Panthers have their sights set on success. Here are the players who will make a difference on the court.

Darling Downs Panthers vs Wildcats Ruby. HART Ruby Series netball. Sunday, May 22, 2022. Picture: Nev Madsen.

NETBALL: The Darling Downs Panthers have a new look team ready to set the competition alight.

With a mix of young guns and some old heads, the side is determined to go toe-to-toe with the best of them.

And while the young side may lack age and experience, they don’t lack any skill or hunger to win.

Dowling has made no concessions about her goals for the team and club.

“I’m really impressed with the team we’ve put together,” Dowling said.

“My overall goal and ambition is to get the Panthers into the Sapphire series.”

Sapphires are the level above the Ruby series the Panthers are in at the moment, and one level below the professional Suncorp Super Netball level of the Firebirds and Lightning.

Being a new coach and having a relatively new side, the Panthers have put mantras for the season, aimed to streamline their focus and success.

A positive mindset of, “we can” is going to be the motto for the side.

“We must think like winners if we are going to have success,” Dowling said.

“Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”

HEAD COACH:

Camille Dowling – The new head coach of the side has a wealth of experience and knowledge under her belt. She has been an elite level coach with Netball Australia and Netball Queensland for over 20 years. Dowling is currently still working back in Brisbane as the Queensland Firebirds events manager.

DEFENDERS:

Caitlin Skaines – Originally from Warwick, Skaines has been with the Panthers since she was 16 years-old. The now 20 year-old is a goal defence (GD) and wing defence (WD) player that has been underrated through her youth. Great anticipation and being very gritty in her defensive efforts, Skaines is the teams’ “quiet assassin.”

Jessica Cerezo – Living between Brisbane and Warwick, the 21 year-old was a training partner for the team last season, and is another one that has been underrated during their youth. Her height combined with her ability to move have made her a weapon in defence. Dowling has even gone on the record saying she believes, “Jess could be as quick as Laura Geitz.” Playing in both goal keeper (GK) and GD, she is looking for more action after little game time last season.

Macaulie McNeil – McNeil is a triple threat. At 21 years-old, she is able to play GD, WD or GK if needed. Recently representing Australia at the under 21 ladies indoor netball championships last year, she is hoping to continue her purple patch of form. Dogged in defence, great reader of the game and constantly hunting for an interception, she is expected to be a wall this season.

Natalie Bullpitt – At 18 years-old, Bullpitt is another one of the young team members in the side. A Toowoomba local, Bullpitt is described as a “bulldog” in defence that will hunt for the ball and annoy opposing players. GD, WD and GK she is a handy utility player looking to impress after missing out last season.

MIDFIELDERS:

Khloe Fanning – The 23 year-old Toowoomba local is a specialist goal attack (GA). Fanning is a very smart player that has the ability to shoot and score from both long and short range. Her shooting threat poses headaches for the opposing players.

Khloe Fanning for Panthers. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Amy Williams – Just 16 years-old, Williams towers over her opposition at 189cm tall. A training partner last year, she is returning from an ACL injury she suffered last year. Williams is a post-shooter, that will look to implement more movement into her game this season.

Haylee McAuliffe – Playing GA and goal shooter (GS), the 17-year-old is still developing her game. A fast athlete with a long-range shot in her arsenal and improving

ATTACKERS:

Ada McKenzie – Captain of the team last year, McKenzie is a specialist wing attack (WA). Court smart and savvy in her play, she has a very ‘big’ and ‘strong’ presence on the court. McKenzie is also the voice of the side, marshalling around her teammates and rallying in support.

Ada McKenzie of Darling Downs Panthers Picture: Kevin Farmer

Jane Herrick – A 26 year-old paramedic by trade, Herrick has been described as the team’s ‘quiet achiever’. Having a very calm, settling and confident presence about her on the court, she provides the level-head needed in such a competitive environment.

Millie-May Watt – A Brisbane girl and only 18 years-old, Watt is an all around great athlete. She is capable of playing positions centre (C), WA and WD, and is a defensively minded player by nature.

TRAINING SQUAD:

Brooke Fitzgerald – 19 year-old from Toowoomba, plays as a C, GA or WA.

Georgia Lindsay – 18 years-old from Dalby, is a GS and GA.

Halle Webster – 16 year-old and a proud First Nations Gubbi Gubbi/Wakka Wakka young woman.

Madeline Smith – 184cm tall and from Allora, is a GD or GK.

Olivia Mutch – 21 years-old, from Chinchilla, plays as a WA or C.