6 NSW athletes in Australian 21/U Team

Monday, September 19, 2011

NSW netballers Kristina Brice, Paige Hadley, Sam Poolman, Kim Ravaillion, Gabi Simpson and Amy Sommerville have been selected in the Australian 21/U Team.

The team, led by Carol Byers, will play games against the world champion Australian Diamonds, New Zealand Silver Ferns, South Africa and Malawi ahead of the Holden Netball Test Series fixture at the Burswood Dome in Perth on Sunday 23 October.

With the 2013 World Youth Netball Championships on the horizon, Byers has selected a 21/U team with an average age of just over 18 years old.

“This series will provide a starting point in our preparation for the 2013 World Youth Netball Championships, it’s our goal to expose our athletes to international netball who are still eligible for the tournament in two years time,” Byers said.

 “We’re exposing the world youth cup athletes to the different styles of play that the African teams offer.

“It’s a great opportunity for these young athletes that haven’t had any exposure to South Africa or Malawi, let alone the chance to play against the world champion Diamonds and the Silver Ferns.”

The 21/U team will contest the four practice matches during the week leading up to Sunday 23 October.

The Australia 21/U squad for the 2013 World Youth Cup will be selected next year following the 21/U National Championships.

Australian 21/U Team:
Kelsey Browne (VIC), Courtney Bruce (WA), Kristina Brice (NSW), Paige Hadley (NSW), Cody Lange (SA), Laura Marslen (SA), Samantha Poolman (NSW), Kimberley Ravaillion (NSW), Keely Rodrigo (ACT), Amehlia Schmidt (SA), Kate Shimmin (SA), Gabi Simpson (NSW), Amy Sommerville (NSW)

These athletes were selected from a wider squad of 24 which was announced at the conclusion of the Australian Netball League yesterday which also featured NSW players Nicola Gray, Alix McDermott, Verity Simmons and Melissa Tallent.