NZU21 Squad named for 2009/2010

The Emerging Talent selectors today named both the NZU21 squad and National Emerging Talent Accelerant Group for 2009/10.

The 17 person NZU21 squad includes a mixture of previous U21 squad members as well as seven new inclusions that have represented New Zealand at Secondary School level or impressed selectors during the various National Tournaments held throughout the year.

Netball New Zealand also confirmed the appointment of coach Janine Southby as the new NZU21 coach for a period of two years.

The Emerging Talent Accelerant Group is a new Netball New Zealand High Performance initiative introduced for the first time this year.

Netball New Zealand High Performance Director Tracey Fear said she was excited about launching the new talent development programme.

“This is an important step in continuing to grow player depth at elite level. The four young players selected in this group have been identified by the Selectors as having the potential to progress onto the NZU21 Squad in the next 1-3 years,” she said.

Selectors have been observing players at events throughout 2009 including at the NZ Talent Development clusters, Lois Muir Challenge, Regional and New Zealand Secondary School tournaments, New Zealand Age Group Champs as well as over the last week at Perry Foundation National Netball Champs.

NZU21 Squad (up to 20) in alphabetical order

Te Amo Amaru-Tibble Wellington 1

Jodi Beaumont Western

Carli Botes* North 1

Alanah Cassidy Western Under 21’s

Emily Close Otago Under 21’s

Kayla Cullen Auckland Waitakere Under 19’s

Shannon Francois* Otago Under 19’s

Ellen Halpenny Canterbury

Kendall McMinn* Southland B

Jessica Moulds Otago Under 21’s

Hayley Saunders Otago A

Te Huinga Reo Selby- Rickit Southland

Elias Shadrock Waikato

Ashleigh Smith* Southland

Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick Auckland Waitakere Under 19’s

Joanna Trip* Canterbury Red

Emma Weenink* Wellington 2

*New inclusion to squad

National National Emerging Talent Accelerant Group in alphabetical order

Sheridan Bignall Manawatu Under 19’s

Sophia Fenwick Canterbury A

Greer Patterson Taranaki Under 19’s

Storm Purvis Auckland Centre Under 17’s