Four WAIS Netballers Selected for Australian 21/U Squad

Australian 21/U coach Carol Byers and selectors have announced four WAIS athletes in an Australian 21/U squad at the conclusion of the 2012 21/U National Netball Championships at Challenge Stadium in Perth.

WA netball athletes Courtney Bruce, Denise Shepley, Ellie Smart and Kaylia Stanton were all included in the squad off 22 to attend a training camp at Canberra’s AIS where the squad will be reduced ahead of the August Youth International Series.

It was a case of double celebration for Bruce, with the talented youngster also named tournament MVP for 2012, following an outstanding campaign throughout the tournament helping WA to the semi-finals.

Australian 21/U coach Carol Beyers commented that she anticipated a selection headache due to the squad’s strength in centre court.

“There are a lot of quality centre court players so it’s going to be extremely difficult decision in that area because there is such good depth,” she said of her squad.

“We’ve got some height in the shooting circle with Kristina Brice and Kaylia Stanton but also it’s a good mix of movers and versatility which gives us a really good variety of players to look at and select from.

“Defensively there were lots of turnovers throughout the tournament and the defenders really did put pressure on everything so I’m really happy with the quality of defence.”

With twelve months until the 2013 World Youth Netball Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, Byers said that this squad of 22 will have the opportunity to be exposed to international netball over the next couple of months.

“A team will be selected to compete in the youth international netball series in August against New Zealand, England and Samoa,” Byers said.

“They will also get the opportunity to be selected to tour Jamaica in November and then New Zealand early next year.”

“This group has lots of opportunities for international experience that allows them to show us that they’re able to step up and play at the international netball level.”

The squad will attend a selection camp at the Australian Institute of Sport from 27-29 July where a team of 12 will be named to compete in August’s youth international series.

– Netball Australia