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Darling Downs Panthers young stars ready for massive 2025

REVEALED: The future of the Darling Downs Panthers is in great hands. Here’s our look at the 20+ Emerald League and EPL Panthers guns ready to make their mark on the netball court.

Mia Kleidon in action for the Downlands Second VII against St Ursula's during the Merici-Chevalier Cup earlier this year. Pictures: Kevin Farmer
Mia Kleidon in action for the Downlands Second VII against St Ursula's during the Merici-Chevalier Cup earlier this year. Pictures: Kevin Farmer

The Darling Downs Panthers are gearing up for a massive 2025 now that they have confirmed their position in an exciting new competition.

The next generation of Panthers stars will line up in the second season of the Emerald League - a competition featuring some of south east Queensland’s best young netballers.

“This will be our first year in the competition - we were not part of the inaugural season,” Panthers head coach Chris Beckett said.

“It’s a great opportunity for our players who we hope will one day go on to be part of more senior Panthers teams.

“We can’t wait to see the girls in action and we’re excited to see their progression.”

The Panthers will also line up in Elite Premier League netball next year.

Full of attacking flair, gritty mid court stars and determined defenders - the Future Panthers are sure to excite fans.

Beckett said the squad will also offer an early look into how future Panthers Ruby Series teams might line up.

“I think we will be looking at the future of Darling Downs netball in this team,” he said.

“There are a lot of promising, young, talented players in this team and it will be exciting to watch them play and grow.

“I expect many of them will be part of the Ruby Series program in five to eight years time.”

With the squads finalised for the season ahead here’s our breakdown of the Emerald League and EPL teams.

Emerald Panthers

Piper Atkinson

A promising young player who is accurate from anywhere in the circle and can comfortably line up in both shooting positions.

Hannah Bourke

Bourke, who is making the move from NSW to board at The Glennie School, is a great circle defender.

Jasmine Brown

A versatile player with the ability and game awareness to play any of the three midcourt positions.

Pippa Gore

New to the Panthers program, Pippa is a controlled and consistent player who will bring stability in the midcourt.

Mia Kleidon

Mia’s dynamic movement will make her a handful for opposition defences and her shooting accuracy is amazing.

Lucia Luhrs

A versatile defender who can line up at goalkeeper, goal defender and wing defence to great effect. Lucia plays with a great attitude and is a natural leader.

Ella Maxwell

Her versatility. movement and height make her a great asset to have in the circle.

Kenzie Van Zandbergen

A hard working player with a safe set of hands who while still young brings a good level of experience to the side.

Ella Maxwell (centre) in action for the Downlands First VII earlier this year. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Ella Maxwell (centre) in action for the Downlands First VII earlier this year. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Young Darling Downs Panthers players (from left) Kenzie van Zandbergen, Anna Saal and Lainey Currie line up before a match in 2021.
Young Darling Downs Panthers players (from left) Kenzie van Zandbergen, Anna Saal and Lainey Currie line up before a match in 2021.
St Ursula's Junior B goal defence Meila Beckett looks for a teammate. Picture: Kevin Farmer
St Ursula's Junior B goal defence Meila Beckett looks for a teammate. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Future Panthers (EPL)

Meila Beckett

A dynamic player who can line up in any defensive position and is primed for a big year.

Pip Beveridge

The midcourter knows how to find good space and has a safe set of hands.

Mia Bruton

Despite her young age Mia is a steadying presence on the court. The Roma talent is also a very accurate shooter.

Penelope Cavanagh

An accurate shooter whose height and dynamic movement make her an exciting prospect in attack.

Milla Cronje

A quiet achiever, Milla’s height and ‘length’ in the circle make her hard to beat.

defender - terrific height and length in circle, quiet achiever

Ava de Vries

A tall strong goalshooter who holds her position in the circle well - making a great passing target.

Mya Farrell

Another exciting and accurate shooter who moves to the front of the circle well in a bid to receive the ball.

Olivia Groves

The talented shooter has great movement around the circle.

Olivia Kemp

Accurate from anywhere in the shooting circle, Olivia creates good space for herself and her teammates.

Georgina Nunn of Downlands Junior A fires off a pass. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Georgina Nunn of Downlands Junior A fires off a pass. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Georgina Nunn

A dynamic mid court player who looks primed for a breakout season.

Grace Pollock

A tough and gutsy mid courter with plenty of speed, Grace can always be relied on to get the job done.

Meg Reimann

The circle defender is strong and a great rebounder.

Aaliyah Salmon

One of the older players in the squad, Aaliyah is an athletic, strong defender with a great ability to turn the play from defence into attack quickly.

Olivia Zahra

A dynamic player with safe hands who always seems to make the right passing decision.

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/darling-downs-panthers-young-stars-ready-for-massive-2025/news-story/f61d1d3b2ab4b5e86c051ae0ada1b8b7