MACKAY’S all conquering St Patrick’s College netballers are a team on a mission in 2022.
The talented line up is chasing a hat-trick of championships in the Mackay District Senior Schools Sport Netball Open A competition and gearing up for a strong showing at this month’s CQ University Queensland Independent Schools Sport Netball (QISSN) Carnival.
Under the guidance of school stalwart and experienced mentors Tracey McLeod and Nadine Becker, the St Patrick’s squad has chalked up an incredible winning streak in the region where they have demonstrated their skill and competitive spirit.
It is a record to be proud of and augurs well for the team this season.
St Patrick’s College and Mercy College will co-host this year’s Confraternity Shield Rugby League and QISSN events to be staged in Mackay for the first time since 1996.
Both netball powerhouse schools tuned up for the QISSN Carnival by bringing home the Capricornia Vicki Wilson Cup and Shield titles staged last week at Mackay’s Multisports Stadium complex.
St Patrick’s Gold clinched the Cup with an impressive 17-5 victory over Mackay State High School in the final while Mercy College Juniors captured the Shield for Year 7 to Year 9 players after toppling Mercy Year 8s 13-5 in the trophy decider.
Outstanding centre court prospect Ysobel Maher will captain the St Patrick’s team in the QISSN Division One event with talented wing defence Paige Zeller as her deputy.
Both Maher and Zeller spearheaded the Cup win last week with classy displays in a dominant team performance.
They are two of ten Mackay representative players in a strong squad that also includes promising goalkeepers Lilli Pryor and Isabelle Sinn and goal defence Phoebe Francis, who is following in the steps of elder sister and former St Patricks netball captain Maddy Francis.
Other key members are centre/wing attacks Letitia Talbot and Lillian Newland and star shooters Jazmyn Gervinas, Ashlee Amos and former Mercy College captain Rebecca Symons.
The experienced Becker and McLeod will coach and manage the St Patrick’s team respectively during the QISSN tournament and are aiming for a top eight finish after the preliminary rounds.
Stalwart McLeod, who has coached Mercy and St Patrick’s College teams since 1995, was a former Mackay representative goalkeeper and captain who plyed her craft in the esteemed State League competition.
“The girls have struck up a fine rapport and have achieved success through hard work both on and off court,” quipped Mrs McLeod.
“Most of the team also compete in the Mackay Premier League series as Development players where they have gained valuable experience against top notch senior opponents,” she said.
“This has kept them in good stead for schools’ netball and helped them evolve as players” Tracey added.
St Patrick’s College have set their sights on a third consecutive Mackay District Schools Netball Open A championship this season after previous triumphs in 2019 and 2021 with the 2020 competition abandoned due to COVID-19.
Last year the College captured three netball titles – Open A, Open B and Open Social – which proved a meritorious achievement.
St Patrick’s have drawn Pool A matches in QISSN Division 1 against Matthew Flinders Anglican College Sunshine Coast; St Margaret Mary’s College Townsville; Rockhampton Grammar; Sunshine Coast Grammar; Marymount College Burleigh Waters; Coomera Anglican College and Canterbury College Waterford (Gold Coast).
Mercy Juniors’ Vicki Wilson Shield-winning squad pictured is standing l to r: Sophie Hodder, Tenille Cotter, Sophie Durelli, Shaylah Pershouse, Gracie Bell; front Francesca Vella, Keely Amos, Mackenzie Hudson, Kiana Dunn and Rhyanna Ape
MERCY College underlined its depth of netball talent by clinching the Capricornia Vicki Wilson Shield title.
With boom Capricornia representative goalkeeper Shaylah Pershouse, shooters Tenille Cotter and Rhyanna Ape and centre Gracie Bell in fine form, the Mercy Juniors edged out their Year 8 compatriots 13-5 in an entertaining final.
It was a tremendous effort by the Year 8 Mercy girls to advance to the decider and a testimony of the College’s renowned Netball Excellence Class that continues to produce quality netball talent.
MEANWHILE St Patrick’s College will field a male team in the inaugural Boys Division event at the 2022 QISSN Carnival.
Comprised of students with mainly football or basketball backgrounds, the St Patrick’s Boys were one of five teams that competed for the Vicki Wilson Cup at Yeppoon this week.
All conquering St Patrick’s Gold netball team that clinched the Capricornia Vicki Wilson Cup and on target for a third successive Mackay District Schools Netball Open A championship
