WAIS Netballer Selected for National U21 Squad
AIS-WAIS netball scholarship holder Sarah East has been selected into Netball Australia’s U21 squad to tour the NZ in June to compete in a three Test series against their New Zealand 21/U counterparts.
East has been based at Canberra’s AIS facility since the start of 2011, and toured with the side when the AIS came to Perth in February for matches against the West Coast Fever.East, aformer Wheatbelt Flamesplayer in the Smarter than Smoking State Netball League, has enjoyed a fantastic 12 months after representing WA in the Australian Netball League in 2010, and winning three of the four State League netball awards in September last year.
West Coast Fever recruit Chanel Gomes has also been named in the squad.
Coach Carol Byers said she was satisfied that the team was a good mix of youth and experience, including three young players who will still be eligible to compete in the 2013 World Youth Cup in Glasgow; Madeleine Proud, Kate Shimmin and Micaela Wilson.
Of the 12 athletes named, Victoria’s Shannon Eagland is the only one who was part of Australia’s winning 2009 World Youth Cup team, which claimed the title in the Cook Islands.
Eight athletes of the athletes named yesterday have progressed from their inclusion last year in Australia’s first ever 19/U team which played a series of friendly matches against the New Zealand 21/U and England 19/U teams.
Byers said the team featured a notable defensive end, with four athletes called up to ANZ Championship teams during the 2011 season: Chanel Gomes (Fever), April Letton (Firebirds), Kate Shimmin (Thunderbirds) and Micaela Wilson (Vixens).
“We have a strong defensive unit that will stand us in good stead as we look to shut down New Zealand’s attacking play.
“The upcoming tour will give these athletes invaluable experience and exposure to the New Zealand style of play.”
Carol Byers was enlisted to deliver Australia back-to-back World Youth Netball Championships in Glasgow with the high performance coach appointed 21/U Australian coach in September 2010.
After claiming her third consecutive New Idea Australian Netball League title with Victorian Fury, Melbourne Vixens assistantcoach Byers will lead Australia’s top underage team for the next four years, building to the World Youth Netball Championships in Scotland in three years time.
Selectors of the 21/U team are national coach Norma Plummer, 21/U coach Carol Byers and independent, Cathy Fellows.
– In other WAIS netball news:
WAIS scholarship holders Ellie Smart, Denise Shepley and 2011 West Coast Fever representativesLindal Rohde and Courtney Bruce have headed to New Zealand to play against various New Zealand sides ona 10-day tour. The athletes will be joined by other netball talent from various states in Australia, withWAIS coach Michelle Wilkins also abroad. Wilkins will then continued on with the girls as they travel from New Zealand direct to the AIS for the19/Under Australiantraining camp.
– Netball Australia