The brightest netball stars of the future have been named in an Australian 21/U team to tour Jamaica following a selection camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
Coach Simone McKinnis is delighted the selected team of 12 has the opportunity to tour internationally and further their netball development as they compete in the three Test series from March 11-24. “I am really happy with the team we selected and I think it’s an exciting opportunity to be able to take them over to Jamaica and play against that different style and to get that experience playing in a different environment and a different culture,” she said. “It’s an exciting opportunity and I’ve got a great group to take away with me.”
This tour will prove an excellent opportunity for the players to impress selectors before the World Youth Netball Championships (WNYC) in the Cook Islands in August however, a new squad will be selected for the WNYC following the National Netball Championships to be held in Canberra in April. “The opportunity is still there to make the World Cup team,” McKinnis guarantees. “This is the team touring to Jamaica, the World Youth Cup squad will be announced in April and all positions are open again for that team.”
Madison Browne has been named captain and Sharni Layton named vice-captain for the tour. The Australian 21/U Team for 2009 Jamaican tour:
Caitlin Bassett WA Shae Bolton VIC Kimberley Borger NSW Madison Browne VIC (captain) Sophie Croft QLD Shannon Eagland VIC Andrea Gilmore WA Ashlee Howard VIC Sharni Layton VIC (vice-captain) Laura Scherian QLD Amy Steel VIC Courtney Tairi NSW Coach – Simone McKinnis Specialist Coach – Nicole Cusack Manager – Donna Monteath
