Three Bull Sharks have taken a step towards their dreams of competing in the 2025 World Netball Youth Cup in Gibraltar after making the Australian under 19s training squad.
Kaylin van Greunen, Jayden Molo and Sasha-May Flegler are among six members of the silver medal winning Queensland 19U side to make the Aussie squad for a week in camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.
The high-performance AIS program will focus on nutrition, recovery and player mentality in the classroom, as well as fitness testing and skills on the court.
Bull Sharks Sapphire coach Rebecca Stower, who also oversaw the three Bondies through Queensland under-age programs, said invitations to the camps were coveted by athletes with aspirations for national honours.
She said she was incredibly proud of the trio.
“As their coach (both QLD and Bond), I am incredibly proud,” she said.
“I’ve coached Kaylin since she was 11, and Sasha and Jayden since I began coaching Queensland’s 17U team three years ago.
“I’ve developed strong relationships with all three, built on honesty, trust, and mutual respect.
“They are hardworking athletes, each with unique personalities and needs to consistently perform at their best.
“These talented players were chosen based on their skills and potential for growth with a National Talent Identification Framework, underpinning the Australian Diamonds national side.”
The star Bull Sharks already boast impressive resumes.
Bond University student Van Greunen has made Australian squads over the past three years, Flegler is a Firebirds train-on partner and Molo is an instrumental team member of the First Nations team the Black Swans.
They played crucial roles in a run of success for Queensland which saw the State win bronze in 2022, gold in 2023 and silver in 2024 at the National Championships.
“This showcases their commitment to their team and competitive spirit, proving they are consistently among the best in their age group,” Stower said.
“At the AIS they will gain exposure to high-performance and specialist coaches from other states, offering fresh perspectives and evolving their game, which they can bring back to us at Bond.
“And they will strive to impress for a chance at selection for the Australian 21U World Youth Cup Squad.”
Stower, who recently announced she is stepping away from her gig as Queensland coach to put more time and effort into the Bull Sharks, labelled the girls’ selections a heartwarming end to her journey and efforts.
“I’ve decided to step down from coaching Queensland's underage teams,” she said.
“While it has been so rewarding, with such great results and relationships built over the three years, it has also been challenging on many levels, and I want to redirect my focus and energy entirely to our Bond program.
A jam-packed week of professional development, as players and people, will see these three coming back to our line-up for the Bull Shark v Wildcats this Sunday with some new tricks.