It's young talent time

Queensland Firebirds player Laura Geitz (second from left) chatted with under 13 players (from left) Demi-ann Lisle, Sharna Gaston and Tamika Moore during a recent training session she conducted in Gladstone.

Contributed

THE netball fraternity in Gladstone is a strong one, with a long history of players from Gladstone representing the region as part of the Capricornia Claws.

Each year the talent is identified earlier and earlier with recently five 12 and 13 year olds from Gladstone, Georgia Brown, Alexandra Clarke, Demi-ann Lisle, Sharna Gaston and Tamika Moore identified as talent at the Stanwell Claws Talent camp which was held in Emerald.

The girls age and skill set impressed trainers and coaches.

Capricornia Claws coach Barbara Ahmat said the quality of the girls at the camp was of a high standard.

"There were 60 girls at this camp and everyone was playing at a high level," Ahmat said.

"Particularly eye catching were the 12 year olds.

"This is such a young age and we normally don't see such talent until they are in high school, but these girls should a great future.

"It is important we nurture the young talent so that they will continue to play and come up through the ranks and one day represent the region in the Claws.

"To do so they must be 16 and over."

Thanks to the sponsorship of Stanwell, for the next three years, the Claws were able to deliver a high level camp.

The camp featured a nutritionist, physiotherapist, skills and drills, tai chi, a pool session and game play with the Claws.

"This year's camp was of a very high standard, thanks to the sponsorship we were able to treat the girls with some great activities," she said.

"In particular the nutritionist and physio were a really great feature.

"The nutritionist educated the girls on what to eat and why while the physio educated them on injury recovery and looking after your body.

"The girls also enjoyed playing with the Claws."

The five girls from Gladstone will now be watched over the coming years and offered positions in potential camps and training days.

They will hopefully one day join the likes of Poppy Larson and represent Gladstone in the Claws side.