Glenn Ormesher created quite a stir when he was announced as Bond University Netball’s 118th Bull Shark late last year.
It was only natural.
The Year 9 Dean of Students and Head of Netball Excellence at Southport State High School is the only bloke on the Bond playing roster.
“It reminds me of being the only male when I played as a junior,” he says.
“I started off quite shy but the girls have been so warm and welcoming. The coaching is exceptional. They are tough but very empathetic and supportive as well. Being the first male athlete to be signed to the club is such an honour.”
Ormesher will line up at Centre, Wing Defence and Goal Attack for his Queensland Suns Mixed Open team at the Australian Men's and Mixed Netball Championships in Brisbane starting this weekend.
“This is my favourite week of the year!” he says.
“Nationals is always a roller coaster of emotions - excitement, nervousness, physical exhaustion. I love being a part of the team for all the laughs and cries together. It really is a special week.”
Ormesher says more visible integration of men’s and women’s netball has a huge and mutually beneficial upside.
“There is such a great difference between the playing styles of men and women,” he says.
“Men display ball speed, elevation and physicality. Women have a quick change of direction, netball smarts, a plethora of set plays and incredible dedication and work ethic.”
He says Queensland has been instrumental in the rise of the men’s game.
“Queensland have always been a dominant state at nationals,” he says.
“Our juniors are excelling, and we are reaching out to more schools every year. The high-performance environment that has been created has improved our strength, speed, elevation and overall fitness. We have our eye on a few championships wins this year!”
Gavin Clarke, Assistant Coach of the Bond Bull Sharks Sapphire team this year, will also play a role at this weekend’s Championship event as coach of the Queensland Suns Men’s Under 20 squad.
“The Under 20 division is filled with the country's top up-and-coming male netballers,” he says. “It’s fiercely competitive.
Clarke, a Health and Physical Education teacher and Head of Netball at Calvary Christian College in Brisbane’s south, is extremely hopeful about his squad’s prospects this year.
“Our preparation these last four months has been first rate, but we’re taking nothing for granted. Given the rapid development of men's netball, all six teams are strong contenders for the National Championships title.”
Clarke says the evolution of men’s netball has been quite a ride.
“Men’s netball continues to grow from strength to strength with increased participation and opportunities for boys and men right across Australia,” he says.
“In Queensland, the leading school competitions have really embraced the potential of the boys. Team numbers have increased dramatically. This year there is a Suns M League Competition at Nissan Arena at the same time as The Hart Sapphire and Ruby Series. It’s been an impressive growth.”
With the Bond Bull Sharks Ruby and Sapphire squads edging ever closer to the April start of their respective seasons, Clarke is delighted where things are at.
“I’m very excited to be working with Bec Stower and the Sapphire team again this season,” he says.
"Bec is an insightful strategic coach, and we have a clear direction. Its only onwards and upwards for an amazing group of athletes in 2024. The girls are so determined to build upon the hard work and dedication of last year.”
He says this year’s squad has combined beautifully.
“We are still a young team, but we’ve now been supplemented with some experienced players who’ll give us further options and different ways to consistently implement our game plans.”
Bond Bull Sharks’ Ruby side opens its Hart Series campaign against Darling Downs Panthers on 21 April. The Sapphire team kickstarts its season on 27 April with a local derby against Gold Coast Titans.