WAIS Netball Stars Selected for FastNet Series in England
Australian Diamond and Western Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holder Kate Beveridge has been named FastNet Diamonds captain for the World Netball Series to be held in Liverpool, England from November 19-21.
In a strong result for the WAIS Netball program, fellow scholarship holders Caitlin Bassett and Shae Bolton were also included in Australia’s squad.
With 11 Test caps to her name, Beveridge narrowly missed out on the Australian Commonwealth Games team which claimed silver in a pulsating final with New Zealand.
Knowing what it takes to perform at the highest level – Beveridge at 25-years-of-age – is a veteran of this group, which has an average age of just 21 years.
WAIS head netball coach Michelle Wilkins stated that series represented a good chance for Beveridge to demonstrate her leadership credentials, with a youthful and enthusiastic squad at her service.
“The selectors have opted for a veryyouthful team and this provides Kate with a terrific opportunity to show her leadership skills and keep her selection alive for the 2011 World Championships,” Wilkins said.
With the FastNet format likened to cricket’s Twenty20 style, goal shooters are rewarded two points for shots outside of the circle, which Wilkins believes will tempt Bassett’s radar.
“Both Bassett and Bolton are very excited about the tour and they’re particularly looking forward to playing the new format. I think Caitlin will be quite keen to test hertwo point shooting,” Wilkins predicted.
Centre court and former WAIS scholarship holder Madison Browne was named as vice-captain of the team with Erin Bell and Amy Steel the other two members of the leadership group.
Browne captained the Australian 21/U World Youth Championship winning side in 2009 and made her Australian Diamonds debut in early-2010 in the United Kingdom.
Steel made her Diamonds debut in August notching up two Test caps while this is Bell’s first international tour after her 2010 breakthrough year with the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
TheWorld Netball Series will be held at the Echo Arena Liverpool from 19-21 November.
FastNet first entered netball’s international calendar last year and brings together the top six nations in the world to compete in a quicker-modified version of netball that includes innovative rule changes such as rolling substitutions, shooting from outside the goal circle and power plays.
FastNet games are not considered Test caps.
Also at the conclusion of the recent 21&Under National Championships,two WAIS athletes were named in the 21&Under National Squad. Both Sarah East and Alicia Janz finished off a very successful year – following strong performances in the ANL and 21&Under nationals. For both athletes it is their first time selected in the squad, with both looking to press there claims for future representative participation.