Paula Griffin named NZU21 Captain

Silver Fern and Central Pulse player Paula Griffin has been named captain of the NZU21 team travelling to the Cook Islands to compete in the World Youth Championships next week.

Griffin’s appointment as captain of the NZU21 team comes less than a week after being re-selected in the Silver Ferns Squad through to 2010.

Paula has been a member of the Silver Ferns team for the last two years and understands what it takes to compete at an International Level.

NZU21 coach Yvette McCausland-Durie believes Paula has all the qualities a good leader embodies.

“Paula is calm and resilient under pressure and has taken a step up this year, she has been performing consistently well and leading her team’s attack during the ANZ Championship,” said McCausland-Durie.

Paula was thrilled to be given the opportunity to captain the team in her final year at U21 level.

“It is a great honour to captain the NZU21’s, we have only one goal in mind and I am looking forward to leading the team to win back to back World Youth Championship titles for New Zealand.”

Two other NZU21 players; Te Huinga Reo Selby Rickit and Grace Rasmussen have already achieved success at the 2005 World Youth Championships and add to the experience in the team as they prepare for the event.

The NZU21 team will assemble in Auckland next Tuesday and fly out on Thursday to the Cook Islands.

NZU21 Team

· Hannah Broederlow Central Pulse

· Alanah Cassidy Western

· Emily Close Otago

· Hayley Crofts Southland

· Kayla Cullen Auckland/Waitakere

· Paula Griffin Central Pulse, Silver Fern Squad

· Charlotte Kight Tactix, Silver Fern Squad

· Camilla Lees Central Pulse, Silver Fern Squad

· Claire Kersten Otago

· Jess Moulds Otago

· Grace Rasmussen Northern Mystics

· Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit Southern Steel