NZU21 World Youth Netball Champsionships team announced

The National Selectors today announced the twelve players who have been selected in the NZU21team to compete against 20 countries in the 2009 World Youth Netball Championships to be held in the Cook Islands from 11-20 August.

The NZU21team will now come together for two training camps to be held in June and July to finish off their preparation prior to leaving for the World Youth Netball Championships in early August.

The players come from a range of experience levels including 16 year old school girl, Kayla Cullen and six players who are currently competing in the ANZ Championship.

Northern Mystics shooter Grace Rasmussen and Southern Steel defender Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit were both part of the NZU21 Team that won the World Youth Netball Championships in 2005.

NZU21 coach Yvette McCausland-Durie said she was pleased with the depth of talent and versatility in the team and was looking forward to developing further combinations within the side over the next 12 weeks.

“This is a great group of athletes who have shown their full commitment to the programme ahead - we all have one goal in mind - to win back to back gold medals,” she said.

New Zealand won gold at the previous Netball World Youth Netball Championships in 2005.

NZU21 2009 World Youth Netball Championships Team

(in alphabetical order)

Hannah Broederlow Central Pulse
Alanah Cassidy Western
Emily Close Otago
Hayley Crofts Southland
Kayla Cullen* Auckland/Waitakere
Paula Griffin Central Pulse
Charlotte Kight Canterbury Tactix
Camilla Lees Central Pulse
Jess McCormack* Accelerant Group
Jess Moulds Otago
Grace Rasmussen Northern Mystics
Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit Southern Steel

*Kayla Cullen and Jess McCormack’s selection is subject to medical and fitness clearances

Reserves:
Jodi Beaumont Western
Larrissa Harrison Central Pulse
Emma Iversen North
Claire Kersten Otago
Julianna Naoupu Southern Steel
Jaimee Power Otago