Sports in brief

Barty steers Australia to third

SHE has undeniable exceptional talent, but up until now we have wondered if young tennis sensation, Ashleigh Barty could match it with the world's best.

Any doubts were quashed last week when the Springfield 14-year-old led Australia to third at World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov, Czech Republic.

Barty was one of the players of the tournament, winning all five of her singles matches. Her only loss for the tournament was a semi finals doubles match against Ukraine.

The 6-4 7-5 defeat cost Australia a place in the final against top seed USA.

But Barty sealed a memorable third-place finish for the Aussies by easily accounting for China's Zi Yue Sun 6-1 6-2 for Australia to win the playoff tie 2-0.

Netballers shine at launch

BRISBANE West's best young netballers had their chance to shine at the official launch of the Ergon Energy Netball Academy for the region.

Brisbane West regional administrator, Mellany Mollenhauer, said the athletes were chosen from a wealth of talent from the region at trials during May, but the Ergon Energy Netball Academy was more than just about netball.

“The girls have been involved in a number of development sessions such as nutrition and the importance of eating well, and have participated in the Mission Foods Young Guns in2leadership program,” she said.

“They have had the opportunity to train with the state league teams and will have a coaching session with Jill McIntosh, former head coach of the Australian Netball Team, next month.”

Ms Mollenhauer said the primary purpose of the academy is to further develop athlete potential throughout Queensland.

“In September the girls will join the other 11 academy squads throughout Queensland and participate in a screening weekend where at the end of the weekend a squad of 30 girls will be selected to trial for the Queensland under-17 state team,” she said.

“For most of the athletes this is the first time they have been involved with a program like the Ergon Energy Netball Academy.”

The Ergon Energy Netball Academy aims to provide a congruent development pathway for netballers between 14 and 17 years old.

Many of these elite netballers could be future state, Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), Firebirds and national players and the Ergon Energy Academy provides pathways to a career in netball.

Last month the academy players gathered at Ipswich Netball Association to learn vital leadership skills to take part in the Mission Young Guns in2leadership program delivered by Laurus Consulting.

Laurus Enterprises managing director Stephen Scott said the program helped introduce personal leadership as a key component of netball success.

“Unlike most other sports, netball is inherently a pure team sport,” he said.

“Strong leadership is therefore essential.”

He said the athletes focused on three sets of personal qualities to communicate as leaders including qualities that attract people to them, qualities that direct people's attention to the greater good and qualities that will inspire others to willingly support them.

Inala favourites

INALA will go in favourites in this year's Brisbane Second Division Rugby League Southside 4 grand final to be held at Davies Park, West End this Saturday.

For most of the season Centenary had seemed the team to beat, finishing on top of the ladder after 19 rounds.

But Centenary, who were beaten 30-18 by Inala in the second semi-final on July 31, suffered a shock 32-22 loss to Logan City on Saturday and were bundled out of the finals.

Ona wins

PROMISING young Gailes golfer, Ashley Ona, added another notch to her belt by winning the 2010 Queensland Women's Foursome Championship on Toowoomba's Middle Ridge layout earlier this month.

Teamed up with fellow Queensland State Team member, Courtney Massey, the duo combined consistently for most of their round, and out played the rest of the field to win by six shots.

Ona, a member of the 2009 Australian Girl's national champion team, will be teeing off at this year's Australia Interstate Teams Matches event held at McLeod Golf Club from September 13 to 17.

Fellow Gailes Golf Club member, Daniel McGraw was named in the Queensland Colts team and will play at the Wynnum Golf Club, while the Oxley Golf Club have the honour to host the men's event.

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Email: griffith.thomas@qtcn.com.au.