Silver Ferns touring squad announced

Silver Fern squad members Charlotte Kight and Camilla Lees were today named in a 15-strong touring squad for the next phase of the Silver Ferns 2009 international netball campaign.

In a busy finale to the season, the Silver Ferns head to Manchester next Friday for the World Netball Series followed by a one-off test against England, in Bath, and two tests against Jamaica, in Kingston.

The Silver Ferns have continued to build and develop their combinations over the last month during a three-test series against the World 7 in New Zealand and five tests against the Australian Diamonds spread across both countries.

The Silver Ferns finished their home programme on a positive note last night with a 16-goal win over the world champion Australian Diamonds.

``We have shown steady improvement in the tests we’ve played so far and looking ahead we have to consolidate on that,’’ Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken said.

``Heading to England and Jamaica we are looking to grow the depth we have and continue to build on our performance.’’

Strong performers during this year’s ANZ Championship, defender Kight and midcourter Lees, are the only two of the squad yet to play for the Silver Ferns. National selectors have also opted to take Grace Rasmussen as a training partner on the tour, Lees, Kight and Rasmussen all played for the NZU21 team at last month’s World Youth Championship in the Cook Islands.

Midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase also makes a return after missing four of the tests against Australia due to a calf injury.

Looking ahead towards next year’s Commonwealth Games and the World Championships in 2011, Aitken is keen for the Silver Ferns to get as much experience against a variety of international opposition as possible.

The inaugural World Netball Series, to be held on October 9-11, will shed a new light on netball.

The competition introduces a shortened faster version of the game for the first time where innovative rule changes including rolling substitutions, shooting from outside the goal circle and power plays will test fitness, technical ability and tactical awareness.

The series will involve the world’s top six netball nations – Australia, New Zealand England, Jamaica, Samoa and Malawi – with each game being played over four six-minute quarters.

The squad leaves for England next Friday 2 October.

The Silver Ferns touring squad is:

Liana Barrett-Chase, Temepara George – vice-captain, Katrina Grant, Paula Griffin, Joline Henry, Charlotte Kight, Laura Langman, Camilla Lees, Wendy Telfer , Anna Thompson , Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk , Larrissa Willcox, Casey Williams, Captain

Training Partner: Grace Rasmussen

Playing Schedule

World Netball Series, Manchester, October 9-11

Silver Ferns vs England, Bath, October 15

Silver Ferns vs Jamaica, Kingston, October 20

Silver Ferns vs Jamaica, Kingston, October 22