Future of Australian netball selected to take on Samoa
The future of Australian netball will get their first taste of international competition with a 19/U team selected to take on the Samoan national team ahead of the 2011 World Netball Championships.
The 12 player team will take on Samoa in their preparations for the world championships and the NSW Institute of Sport in Canberra in June.
"For most of these girls it will be their first opportunity to play international netball so to put our junior athletes in an international style will only benefit the 21s program and the Diamonds in the years to come," head coach Stacey West said.
"The more we can expose our athletes to different styles of play, the better they will be equipped to progress up the netball ladder."
The emerging talents, featuring representatives from six of the eight states and territories, caused a selection headache of a good kind for West and her selection panel at a training camp over the weekend at the Australian Institute of Sport.
"The depth was far greater this year in comparison to the last two years so selection was much more complicated, which is a good problem to have," West said.
"It's a good indication of netball and the depth we've currently got in this age group.
"We've had a very good showing of talented, well skilled and a variety of mid-court players which is very exciting for everyone involved.
"To have that many representatives from around the country not only shows the strength of our programs but also indicates that we're doing the right thing at state level and that the programs being delivered are producing good athletes."
With the 2013 World Youth Netball Championships approaching, West is working closely with Australian 21/U head coach Carol Byers to ensure the squad is best prepared for the title defence.
"That was the major focus of this year's program, making sure that we're closely aligned with 21/U program and having Carol's input into the selection was critical," West said.
"Together we'll work very hard to make sure these athletes come through at a level she needs them in two years time."
The netball series featuring the Australian 19/U, Samoa and NSWIS will be held from Wednesday 22 June to Sunday 26 June in Canberra.
