The Bond University Bull Sharks will receive an elite-level injection into their Sapphire Series netball campaign this season – but they’ll have to wait for it.
Rising stars Kirra Tappenden and Sasha May Flegler have been selected in the Australian 19U squad after standout performances for Queensland at the National Championships. It’s a major personal milestone for both players and a big win for Bond Netball, with the experience they’ll bring back set to lift the entire squad.
But the high-performance opportunities don’t stop there – and that’s where it gets tricky for the Bull Sharks.
Tappenden, Flegler and teammates Jayden Molo, Sophie Westover, and Kaylin van Greunen have also earned places in the Suncorp Super Netball Reserves competition – the top recruitment ground for professional SSN clubs.
It’s an enormous step forward for the five players’ careers – but it also means they will miss the entire Bull Sharks pre-season and won’t return to Sapphire Series duties until Round 1.
Tappenden, Flegler and Molo will represent the Queensland Firebirds Futures, while van Greunen and Westover will suit up for the Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts.
Bond’s Sapphire Series head coach Rebecca Stower said the players’ selection was reward for years of development and consistently strong performances.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for our five Bull Sharks athletes to take the next step in the high-performance pathway through the SN Reserves competition,” she said.
“Sasha and Kirra have been rewarded for their efforts, coming off a bronze medal at the recent Underage Nationals, where they were also selected for the 19U Australian Squad.
“Jayden impressed at the Pacific Nations Tournament as a key player for the Black Swans.
“Sophie’s move from Adelaide to Queensland has paid off following a standout 2024 Sapphire season.
“And Kaylin has now aged out of the underage system and is forging her own path within the Lightning program. This is a fantastic step forward for her.”
Bachelor of Health Sciences student van Greunen said her call-up to the Lightning Bolts squad was the next step she’d been working toward.
“It’s definitely a huge opportunity for me, I’ve been waiting for a while for the call up to play,” she said.
“This super netball reserves competition is an extra step up in my netball journey.
“I’m really enjoying working with Jenny Brazel my coach and all my new teammates, it’s an exciting time.”
Her side will face a tough assignment this Sunday when they travel west to take on West Coast Fever.
Tappenden, who is undertaking a Bachelor of Psychological Science, is also relishing the chance to compete at a higher level – both in her selection for Australia 19U and the Firebirds Futures.
“I was super excited when I received the email about the Australian U19 squad,” she said.
“It definitely put me in a good mood heading into my stats exam, which was needed.
“It’s always really exciting going to the AIS, meeting new girls from around the country and reuniting with old friends. Camp is in September and I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Being selected in the Firebirds SSN reserves team for Round 1 is also really exciting. We’ll be travelling to Melbourne to face the Mavericks Reserves.
“It’s a big step up from nationals, but I’m looking forward to the challenge – I feel like we have a very solid team and amazing coaching staff.”
The Bull Sharks open their Hart Sapphire Series campaign on June 8 against the Carina Tigers.