Netball Australia has announced its Netball Centre of Excellence Squads for 2020, including the Australian 21/Under squad selected ahead of the 2021 Netball World Youth Cup.
While the Netball World Youth Cup has been postponed, preparation of the Australian squad will continue to ensure ongoing technical, tactical, physical and psychological development of the group as they approach the benchmark event.
Selection of these squads was conducted differently this year after the National Netball Championships, where selection is normally made, were cancelled due to COVID-19.
National selectors have since worked closely with state representatives within the National Institute Network to finalise the squads, assessing each athlete based on a range of attributes, focusing on current and potential performance.
With squad selection now complete, Netball Australia aims to deliver training camps in late 2020 (dates to be confirmed) to ensure players maintain access to competition and development opportunities.
The 2020 17/Under and 19/Under camps will be led by Netball Centre of Excellence Head Coach Michelle Wilkins and the 21/U camp will be led by Australian 21/Under Head Coach Kylee Byrne.
Wilkins spoke of the immense talent within the Netball Australia pathway this year.
“Selection of these squads wasn’t an easy process due to the depth of talent we have coming through our system. We have even seen some of our athletes within this group starring on the Suncorp Super Netball court this season,” she said.
“While it has been a challenging year, it is our priority to ensure we are constantly nurturing and developing the talent coming through the Netball Australia pathway and we look forward to bringing everyone together later in the year for our training camps.”
Dates for these training camps will be confirmed in coming weeks.
The International Netball Federation is yet to confirm a re-scheduled date of the Netball World Youth Cup but it is expected to be in late 2021 or early 2022.
2020 21/U National Squad - South Australian athletes
- Nyah Allen
- Lucy Austin
- Georgie Horjus
- Georgia Dent
- Tayla Williams
- Tyler Orr
- Molly Watson
- Chelsea Blackman
2020 19/Under National Squad - South Australian athletes
- Krystal Anderson-Ives
- Tahlia Dnistrjanski
- Paris Sinclair
- Casey Bernhardt
2020 17/Under National Squad - South Australian athletes
- Kimberley Hearnden
- Poppy Gilfillan-Silk
- Sophie Casey
- Olivia Nicholls
- Aaleya Turner
- Amelia Anderson
- Jessie Grenvold
