WAIS Pair Selected in 21/U Squad
Two WAIS netball scholarship holders have been named on the Australian 21/U national squad following the completion of the 2015 National Championships on the Sunshine Coast.
West Coast Fever squad member Kaylia Stanton and Numi Tupaea were chosen in the representative squad of 22 athletes after impressing at this year’s carnival in Queensland.
Stanton is the daughter of Western Australian athletics great Christine Stanton, whilst Tupaea was this year bestowed an ambassadorial role with Netball Australia’s One Netball program, that uses the sport as a vehicle to promote an increase in engagement with multicultural and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, socio-economically disadvantaged communities and regional and remote communities.
Australian 21/U coach Tania Obst said the selection panel, which also included Netball Australia’s National Pathway Manager Stacey West and Netball Queensland’s Elite Development Program coach Kylee Byrne, were impressed by the quality of matches played throughout the week.
“We’ve had great discussions and then been able to watch really good match play throughout the week and today’s Finals,” Obst said.
“I’m very impressed with the calibre of talent we have chosen. Australian netball is in a really healthy position with the quality of players at this age group level.”
The squad of 22 also features 10 athletes currently on ANZ Championship lists.
“This is a squad that has got very good depth with a variety of game styles,” Obst said.
“We’ve selected a variety of athletes that will provide depth and talent that will leverage successfully for Australia’s future.”
This year’s 21/U squad will have a training camp in Sydney and play practice matches against the Australian Diamonds and New Zealand Silver Ferns ahead of the Netball World Cup 2015 SYDNEY in August.
“Gaining international experience in this age group is critical,” Obst said.
“What a great opportunity for those young athletes to play against the Diamonds and Silver Ferns and show the depth that we have here in Australia.
“The experience that this group will gain by being immersed in the preparations for the Netball World Cup 2015 SYDNEY will hopefully push these athletes onto Diamonds selection in the future.”
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The Western Australian side earned a fifth place finish at this year’s championships after defeating the ACT 54-44 in the 5/6thplayoff. Stanton hit 32 goals for the match, assisted ably by 22 goals to fellow WAIS athlete Sophie Garbin.
WA recorded three victories in the round-robin stage, before defeating Tasmania 59-29 in the first round of classification matches.
– with NetballAus