Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

St Patrick’s Netball Teams Book Spots For Vicki Wilson Championships

By Chris Karas

Emerging netball goalkeeper Shayla Pershouse will realise a childhood sporting dream when she dons her beloved Queensland attire at this year’s School Sport Australia Netball Championships.

The defensive dynamo produced superb performances for the Capricornia representative side at the recent Queensland School Sport Netball Championships in Brisbane to earn her maiden State honours.

Shayla will now line up for the Maroons at the School Sport Australia Netball 15yrs and under National Championships in Perth from July 29 to August 4.

It is a huge achievement for the 15-year-old DAS product who was at her combative best when St Patrick’s College won both the Cup (Seniors) and Shield (Junior) categories at the Capricornia Regional Trials last week at Mackay Multisports Stadium to qualify for the prestigious Vicki Wilson State Netball Championships in Brisbane later this year.

All conquering St Patrick’s College will represent the region in the Vicki Wilson Cup after toppling Holy Spirit College Dovetails 19-12 in the final.

“All of the players trusted each other with positive talk on court and team support a major highlight” revealed coach Newland.

Unbeaten St Patrick’s defeated Holy Spirit College Dovetails 14-9 in the Shield decider with strong performances from shooter Tahlia Anderson, centre Tayla Lucas and goal defence Kate O’Brien.

In the lead up to the final the girls eclipsed Moranbah Rhinos, Mackay North State High, Mackay State High and St Patrick’s Junior Development team in a semi-final.

St Catherine’s College Proserpine won the Boys Round Robin series with Mackay State High finishing runners up and St Patrick’s third.

Co-captains and goal defenders George Mann and Joshua Williamson led a new-look St Patrick’s team that improved throughout the series after tossing Moranbah 9-7 in their opening game and suffered narrow losses to St Catherine’s and Mackay State High.

Coach Nina Gaviglio praised the efforts of her developing squad which also included goal attacks Braithan Vickers and Jacob Elbourne, wing defenders Oscar Bishop and Lance Allan, centre Trae Cora, wing attack Toby Falconer and goal shooter Josh Venz.

St Patrick’s College Mackay’s triumphant Vicki Wilson Cup and Shield netball squads that won the regional trials to qualify for the State Championship in Brisbane during August. Standing l to r Lilly Newland, Tayla Lucas, Mia Pastega, Kate O’Brien, Jala Brown, Mackenzie Maunder, Tahlia Anderson, Libby Zurvas, Jayda Earl, Ella McGill, Ainsley Carey, Kiana Dunn; front Skye Mole, Lacie Clarke, Tenille Cotter, Bethany McPherson, Sophie Durelli, Shaylah Pershouse, Francesca Vella and Rebecca Symons

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