QCHF Fire Academy Announced

The JCU  Townsville Fire are looking to their own backyard to unearth the next generation of WNBL champions after naming their Queensland Country Health Fund Academy for the 2019-20 season.

Entering its ninth season, the QCHF Academy is designed to provide talented North Queensland basketballers with a pathway to the WNBL with elite coaching and game day experiences.

Past Townsville Fire player and QCHF Fire Academy Head coach Julia Duroux will work with the eight players — — to develop their games both on and off the court.

“While the Queensland Country Health Fund Academy is  about skill-development, it also focuses on all the elements required to transition into the WNBL one day, we also look to ensure we provide opportunity off the court for the players to develop as well, including leadership exercises done in conjunction with the Army, nutrition seminars and media training ” Fire general manager Sam Pascoe said.

“It’s about creating a  pathway program and an integral element in ensuring that we are continuing to develop North Queensland talent.”

The program has already proven successful as the likes of Emma McKenzie, Ainsley Walsh, Alex Folwer and Aliza Fabbro who have graduated into Fire representatives, With Fabbro signing as a Development Player for the 19/20 Season.

“We would like to congratulate these players on being selected as part of the QCHF Fire Academy program. This is a fantastic opportunity for all 9 of these young, exciting players to develop their basketball in an elite environment, the JCU Townsville Fire believes the QCHF Fire Academy is the perfect pathway to the WNBL.  When possible, the Academy squad will also complete training sessions with the Senior Fire team. With opportunities like this, there is no doubt that we will be seeing these Academy players coming through the WNBL ranks in the coming years.” JCU Townsville Fire Head Coach Shannon Seebohm.

The QCHF Academy commenced earlier this month and will run through until the end of the WNBL season.

Fire Academy members:
ANDREWS Lauren
BROWNING Shaylee
HILL Maddison
HENAWAY Kaitlyn
MINOGUE Ainsley
STEPHENS Bree
WARD Chailee

WEST Kaitlyn

WALKER Lily