Thunderbirds athletes named in Australian 21U squad

Five South Australian young talents have been named in the 2022 Australian 21/U Squad after many of Australia’s most promising netballers competed at the Australian Netball Championships last week. 

Southern Force stars Lucy Austin, Lauren Frew, Jessie Grenvold and Molly Watson were all selected, alongside fellow South Aussie Nyah Allen who competed at the ANC for the Collingwood Magpies.

Netball Australia Chair of Selectors, Michelle Wilkins, spoke to the level of talent displayed at the Australian Netball Championships which aided in selection making. 

“It’s incredibly exciting to see a lot of young talent coming through the Netball Australia pathway and to have seen all athletes embracing the opportunity at the Championships,” Wilkins said. 

“Having two years without a competition like this, it really was great to see a mixture of experienced players and younger players taking the court and has created a great environment for learning and growth within all the teams.” 

The selected squad will complete a four-day training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport this September. A pivotal development tool, the camp will provide athletes with specialist coaching, match play and off court education.

Anita Keelan, Netball Australia Pathway Head Coach and Selector, will lead the upcoming camp, focusing on building connections on and off the court and understanding team dynamics.

“The performances across the Australian National Championships have demonstrated the depth of talent in the Australian pathway with the quality of netball improving every day across the week,” Keelan said.

“I'm very excited to be working with this squad and specialist coaches Jenny Borlase (goalers), Elissa Kent (midcourt) and Cathy Fellows (defence) at the upcoming camp to continue each athlete’s individual growth and development.”

Five athletes of the squad are contracted to 2023 Suncorp Super Netball teams including Annie Miller (Sunshine Coast Lightning), Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Nyah Allen (Collingwood Magpies), Matisse Letherbarrow (GIANTS Netball) and Amy Sligar (GIANTS Netball).

Australian 21/U Squad Athletes: