Sport
3 July, 2026
Chasing national glory
FOUR Cairns players will represent North Queensland when the under-16 girls team heads to Bendigo this week for the Australian National Championships, while local talent will also feature in the Queensland North boys squad.
Both teams departed on Wednesday for a pre-departure camp in Brisbane before flying to Victoria on Friday, with the tournament running from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July.
Coach Dylan Thomas said the players had earned their places after months of work through Basketball Queensland’s performance pathway.
“They go through a series of camps and they’re part of a performance program over a period of nine months,” he said.
“They basically work really hard and obviously try to earn selection through that process.”
Mr Thomas said the championships would provide an opportunity to measure themselves against the nation’s best junior players.
“We’ve had really good preparation and it’s a great opportunity for these athletes to compete on the national stage and play against the best players in the country and kind of test themselves at that level,” he said.
The girls’ squad includes four Cairns players: Americus Walker, Mikaylee Martin, Bella Smith and Nancy George, with Ms Walker and Ms Martin returning after last year’s campaign ended in a loss in the bronze medal match to Queensland South.
Ms Walker, who will again co-captain the side, said the disappointment of narrowly missing a medal had strengthened the group’s resolve.
“I think we obviously want a gold, but I think it just lit a bigger fire in our stomachs losing that bronze medal,” she said.
The point guard said the team’s greatest strength was its culture.
“I love the group of girls and everyone’s really good. I think we all hold each other accountable,” she said.
“We all have such a good culture and bond with each other, and travelling with them, it’s just easy. Everyone gets along.”
Mr Thomas said the squad would rely on its depth rather than expectations.
The Queensland North boys team will also feature Cairns player Jesse Snelling, who said he was looking forward to testing himself against Australia’s best.
“I’m really excited to play against the bigger people and stronger people – and just the best players in Australia,” he said.
Mr Snelling said representing his region made the opportunity even more meaningful.
“That’s really exciting. I get to represent where I’m from.”
