The Marie Little Shield is a competition for female players with an intellectual disability and will be held at Queensland’s Nissan Arena from September 6-8.
The Western Swans have their work cut out for them this year. For the first time, each State and Territory will enter a team, making the competition fiercer than ever.
After equalling their best position of fourth place last year, the side are aiming for that one step further to medal in 2024.
The team will be led by Head Coach Bev Gallager and assisted by coaches Davinya Ferguson and Jennifer Thompson.
Gallager said that training has been going really well and the team are excited to get over to Queensland.
“They’ve learnt so much and come so far in such a short time,” she said.
“We keep growing each year in terms of the strength of the team and the number of girls who try out.”
Gallager said the growth in numbers is crucial to increasing the awareness of the competition to those who may be eligible.
“This program is so important for our No Limits division in Western Australia, and for girls with an intellectual disability,” she said.
The team will once again be led by captain Emma Revell and assisted by vice-captain Imogen Peterson.
Revell is going into her seventh year in the competition and said her love of the game and teammates is what brings her back year after year.
“Everyone’s been working hard and I’m most excited to get on court and play with my friends,” she said.
“I would like to beat South Australia, they’re really good and we came close to them last time.”
Keep an eye out for newcomer Lux Harrington, at 16 years old she joins the team for the first time and adds to her family’s list of talented netball participants.
Harrington’s sister is GIG WANL athlete Honey Harrington and her dad Josh Harrington holds his Elite Bench Official Accreditation.
“My mum, dad and sister play, so it runs in the family,” Harrington said.
You can keep up to date with all the action from over the weekend on PlayHQ, or watch the games live on KommunityTV.
2024 Marie Little Shield squad:
Jone Potgieter
Tamika Galgey
Claire Dzieciol
Saskia Holloway
Rose Birsa
Nicole Brien
Imogen Peterson
Chelsea Lankford
Mikayla Carter
Emma Revell
Lux Harrington
Jade Franz
Coaching staff
Bev Gallager
Davinya Ferguson
Jenifer Thompson
Fixture:
Round 1: WA v QLD 8AM
Round 2: WA v TAS 12PM
Round 3: WA v VIC 7AM
Round 4: WA v ACT 11AM
Semi Finals: TBD
Final: TBD
