Silver Fern Squad Announced

The National selectors today named a 17 strong Silver Ferns squad for the 2010 -2011 international programme which includes this year’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the World Netball Champs in July 2011.



The Silver Ferns squad have four key additions to both ends of the court. Former Silver Ferns, Daneka Wipiiti, Leana de Bruin and Anna Scarlett make a welcome return to the Squad. Mystics shooter, Cathrine Latu, in preparation for her return to eligibility in the next 12 months, makes the squad for the first time after being on the fringes of National selection for the past year.



The squad will take part in a selection camp in Auckland beginning July 26th. From there a team of 12 will be named for the 2010 International programme which includes the upcoming New World International Netball Series against Samoa, Jamaica and Australia and the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.



Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken is delighted with the depth of talent & experience named in the Silver Ferns squad.



“The 17 week long ANZ Championship has really given the selectors a chance to analyse the players in every aspect,’ Aitken said. There have been some tough calls that have had to be made. This group of players include some young talent growing in experience and that we know will be competing strongly for places in the team through to the World Champs next year. The return of experienced former Silver Ferns also generates great competition across the squad”.



The National selectors have also left a spot in the squad open providing the opportunity to add further to the Silver Ferns squad of the Silver Ferns Team for 2010, including the Commonwealth Games, will take place at 11:30am, Friday 30th July.



There will be an open media session at the Silver Ferns selection camp on Tuesday 27th July, where players will be available for interviews and vision at 10:15am - 10:30am.

2010/11 Silver Ferns Squad (up to eighteen):

Liana Barrett-Chase (Southern Steel)
Leana de Bruin (Southern Steel)
*Wendy Frew (Southern Steel) – unavailable for trials due to shoulder surgery
Temepara George (Northern Mystics)
Katrina Grant (Central Pulse)
Joline Henry (Northern Mystics)
Charlotte Kight (Canterbury Tactix)
Laura Langman (Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic)
Cathrine Latu (Northern Mystics)
*Camilla Lees (Central Pulse) – unavailable until November due to medical studies
Grace Rasmussen (Northern Mystics)
Anna Scarlett (Auckland/Waitakere)
Anna Thompson (Canterbury Tactix)
Maria Tutaia (Northern Mystics)
Irene van Dyk (Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic)
Casey Williams (Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic)
Daneka Wipiiti (Southern Steel)

Additional Profile Information:

Leana de Bruin
Positions: GD, GK
Height: 1.90m
Born: July 9, 1977 South Africa
Squads: Silver Ferns 2002-2008, South Africa
New Zealand debut: February 2003, UK tour
Caps: 33
Career highlights: Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006, World Champions 2003.
ANZ Championship: Southern Steel 2010 Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 2009 Northern Mystics 2008.

Daneka Wipiiti
Positions: GS
Height:1.94
Born: Wednesday, 8 December 1982, Hamilton
Squads: New Zealand 2002
New Zealand debut: Silver Ferns 2007-2008
Caps: 8
Career highlights: Commonwealth Games Silver Medal 2002
ANZ Championships: Southern Steel 2008-2010

Anna Scarlett
Positions: GD, GK, WD
Height: 1.87
Born: April 15, 1983 Westport
Squads: New Zealand 2002-2007.
New Zealand Debut: 2002
Caps: 39
Career highlights: Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006, World Champions 2003.

Cathrine Latu
Positions: GS
Height: 1.89m
Born: DOB: 25/10.86, Auckland, New Zealand
National Representation: Samoa 2007
ANZ Championship: Mystics 2008 - 2010