Four NSWIS players included in Netball World Youth Cup squad

Four NSWIS players have been selected in the 2016-17 Australian Netball World Youth Cup squad, which will form the basis for the 2017 Netball World Youth Cup team, to be hosted in Gaborone, Botswana in July next year.

Toni Anderson, Keira Austin, Prudence Ellis and Claire O’Brien are part of the 20-player squad named by Australian World Youth Cup Coach Tania Obst, selector Jill McIntosh and Netball Australia’s National Pathway Manager Stacey West.

Obst said the selectors have been keeping a close eye on the athletes as they have progressed through the pathway.

“We’ve been watching this group of athletes for a number of years through the national underage pathway and have taken into account this year’s National Championships, Australian Netball League, ANZ Championship and the recent 20/U International Netball Series,” explained Obst.

Athletes will continue to train in their home environments, before meeting at Netball Australia’s Centre of Excellence for a five-day camp in November

“We are working closely with the national netball league teams and the SIS/SAS network, as they will assist in delivering the majority of training for the squad.

“We have a really good connection with the institute coaches and are looking forward to continuing to work with them on our athletes’ development through their individual athlete performance plans. The national netball league teams and SIS/SAS network will be a major part in the success of the squad,” said Obst.

The Netball World Youth Cup is a major stepping-stone on the national pathway. Five current Diamonds, including NSWIS athletes Kim Ravaillion and Paige Hadley, were members of the 2013 Netball World Youth Cup Team.

“With such depth in our squad, the future of Australian netball looks bright. The World Youth Cup will provide invaluable international exposure for our young athletes.”

Netball Australia thanks the Australian Commonwealth Games Association – through its NextGEN AUSComGames squad program – for its support of the 2016-17 Australian Netball World Youth Cup Squad.

Full squad:

Toni Anderson (New South Wales) – NSWIS
Jessica Anstiss (Western Australia)
Lucy Armfield (South Australia)
Keira Austin (pictured) (New South Wales) – NSWIS 
Natalie Bright (Western Australia)
Emily Burgess (South Australia)
Jane Cook (Victoria)
Kate Eddy (Victoria)
Prudence Ellis (New South Wales) – NSWIS
Sophie Garbin (Western Australia)
Matilda Garrett (Victoria)
Sasha Glasgow (South Australia)
Samantha Gooden (Victoria)
Annika Lee-Jones (Western Australia)
Jemma Mi Mi (Queensland)
Claire O’Brien (New South Wales) – NSWIS
Hannah Petty (South Australia)
Kelsie Rainbow (Tasmania)
Emma Ryde (Victoria)
Alice Teague-Neeld (Victoria)