Four South Australians have been selected in the final 21U Australian side set to compete at the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar this September.
One third of the side will be South Aussie with Sophie Casey, Kayla Graham, Tabitha Packer, and Lucy Voyvodic named among the 12 athletes.
Each were selected from the squad of 22 athletes from across the country named in July.
While fellow SA squad member Jemma Kelly and Tasmanian/Adelaide Thunderbirds training partner Charlotte Walker missed out on this final team, they will still take part in an Australian 19U camp in September.
Casey and Graham will bring significant experience to the young side, with both athletes recently re-signing with the Adelaide Thunderbirds for the 2026 Suncorp Super Netball season.
Packer and Voyvodic are also training partners with the Thunderbirds and were members of the 2025 Thunderbirds Futures side.
Voyvodic was recently named the 2025 Most Valuable Player for the Futures, while Packer became a dual premiership player for Contax Netball Club.
All four athletes are aligned to clubs in Netball SA’s The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League competition, with Casey and Voyvodic connected to Matrics Netball Club and Graham and Packer with Contax Netball Club.
All four are also current South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) scholarship holders, highlighting the significance of the relationship between SASI and Netball SA.
Adelaide Thunderbirds’ General Manager of High Performance Jace Bode said the club was incredibly proud of all four athletes and their progression through the Netball SA pathway.
“These selections are a testament to the talent in South Australia and the effort each of these athletes has put in to be the best they can possibly be,” Bode said.
“It’s unfortunate for Jemma and Charlotte to just miss out on the final team but as the youngest athletes of the group we know they’ll benefit significantly from the 19U camp,” Bode said.
“I would like to acknowledge the Netball SA pathway, SASI netball program, and the premier league clubs that have played a significant role in each athletes’ development.
“We can’t wait to see these athletes proudly represent South Australia on the global stage in September.
“I would also like to wish our Thunderbirds assistant coach Cathy Fellows all the very best as she coaches the 21U side, along with performance analyst Jade Vergara and physio Lauren Bendo.”
The Netball World Youth Cup is held every four years and showcases the best 21/U talent from around the globe. 20 teams will compete in the event, taking place from Friday, 19 September 2025 across ten days.
Australian World Youth Cup Head Coach, Cathy Fellows, said the group brings a strong nmix of athletes who will bring experience from the Super Netball Reserves and state-based programs.
“This group has shown consistent growth throughout the preparation period, both individually and as a team,” Fellows said.
“They’ve demonstrated a strong work ethic, adaptability, and a real commitment to our team values, all qualities that are vital at this level of international competition.
“The Netball World Youth Cup provides an invaluable opportunity for them to test themselves on the world stage and take another important step in their netball journey.
“While the focus is always on development, we believe this team has the capability to perform strongly and represent Australia with pride.”
Australia has a proud history at the Netball World Youth Cup, having claimed four titles since the tournament’s inception in 1988.
South Australians/Thunderbirds pathway athletes in Australian 21U National Squad
- Sophie Casey (Adelaide Thunderbirds/Matrics Netball Club)
- Kayla Graham (Adelaide Thunderbirds/Contax Netball Club)
- Tabitha Packer (Contax Netball Club)
- Lucy Voyvodic (Matrics Netball Club)
To view full list of selected athletes, visit Netball Australia’s website HERE.
