For these Bull Sharks too much netball is never enough.
For most athletes the off-season means a well-earned break, but not for Bond’s Kaylin van Greunen and Kirra Tappenden.
By any measure, the duo have already put in a monster shift in 2025.
They completed their first full season of Super Netball Reserves, with van Greunen starring for the Sunshine Coast Lightning and Tappenden making her mark with the Queensland Firebirds. The pair also ticked off state rep commitments, before capping it all with a breakthrough Premier League title for the Bull Sharks.
You would forgive them for throwing the kit bag into the back of the closet and forgetting about it until pre-season rolls around.
However, they barely enjoyed a sleep-in from the celebrations following the Bull Sharks’ 61-60 grand final victory over competition heavyweights the Cougars at Nissan Arena before they were back on court -in a new capacity but still chasing silverware for the Bull Sharks.
The two rising stars of Australian netball, who have both been Australian 19U squad members, are coaching the Bond University side in next week’s UniSport Nationals and have been jamming in as many training sessions as possible before the competition begins on Monday.
“Kaylin and I are thrilled to be coaching the women’s UniSport team as a way to give back to the University and for the opportunity to meet new people who enjoy playing netball and also want to represent Bond University,” Tappenden said.
“They are all lovely, energetic girls and we are really looking forward to the tournament.’’
The successes have continued for the Bond University netball program.
The U16s and U18s were both in the medals at the Queensland State Titles at Nissan Arena this week.
Bond’s Sapphire Series assistant coach Gav Clarke led the U18s to the silver medal, with three players Mahlia Henare, Bridie Stewart and Marli Francis selected into the State U19s squad.
Ruby Series assistant coach Tania Carlson took the U16s to a bronze medal with Olivia Davidson and Lucia Dore making the U17s squad.
“It was a great week for our club,” Bond’s head of netball Kim Boland said.
“Last year we had Sapphire Series players in the tournament, but they have aged out and we went in with a younger and less experienced squad in the U18s.
“We had hoped for a top four finish and are thrilled to have made the grand final and we are very excited for the players across both teams that made the State squads.’’