Sport
23 August, 2024
Coaching advice
YOUNG netballers will get the chance to meet and learn from three of the Sunshine Coast Lightning players as they head up north to Cairns for a day of clinics on Sunday, August 25.
As part of their Suncorp regional tour, the Sunshine Coast Lightning team is touring regional Queensland to engage with young athletes and clubs, teach new skills and encourage them to follow a career in netball.
Goal attack and shooter Reilley Batcheldor, centre Ava Black and wing defence Maddie Hinchliffe are the three Lightning players that will be coming to Cairns to inspire kids from ages five to 17 at the Cairns Netball Association.
The clinics include two sessions, a 9am to 10.30am for ages five to 10 and a 10.45am to 12.15pm for 11 to 17-year-olds. Cost is $30 per person.
Shooter Reilley Batcheldor said the regional tours were always a highlight for the team.
“The regional tours are so important for us as the only regional team in the Suncorp Super Netball league that we get out to those regional areas in Queensland and give back to those communities,” she said.
“The three of us are coming up to share our knowledge and skills, give the boys and girls a great netball experience and hopefully they’ll have fun along the way.
“A lot of these girls and boys regionally don’t get the same opportunities that the city kids do, so we want to ensure that kids in regional areas have equal opportunities. I love seeing the faces of the kids light up when they see us, it’s very heartwarming.
“Since Ava, Maddie and myself are from different areas of the court I think it’ll be great for the kids to tap into my shooting, from Ava her dexterity in the mid court and from Ava her defence.
“We’re happy to answer any questions if they have any, it’s a real one on one experience.”
Ms Batcheldor said she wanted kids to take away from the clinics that there are opportunities for regional athletes like them to break into professional netball.
