Two WAIS Netball Athletes Named in National U21 Squad

WAIS netball athletes Andrea Gilmore (Kingsley) and Caitlin Bassett (Thornlie) have been named in a squad of Australia’s 12 best and brightest players Under 21 who will head to Jamaica for a three tour from March 11-24.

National Under 21 coach Simone McKinnis believes the tour will give the squad the opportunity to expand their skills against unfamiliar styles, leading to more experienced members ahead of August’s World Youth Netball Championships in the Cook Islands.

“I am really happy with the team we selected and I think it’s an exciting opportunity to be able to take them over to Jamaica and play against that different style and to get that experience playing in a different environment and a different culture,” McKinnis said.

“It’s an exciting opportunity and I’ve got a great group to take away with me.”

This applies specifically to Gilmore and Bassett, who will both travel to Jamaica for the first time. WAIS Head netball Coach Michelle Wilkins is confident both will rise to the challenge and return more accomplished players.

“It’ll be their first tour to the West Indies and they will really benefit from the experience of playing in front ofa hostile Jamaican crowd,” Wilkins said. “More importantly they will experience the Jamaican style of play prior to the World Youth Netball Championships. It is a more flamboyant, aerial and physical game that you can only learn from playing against them.”

Victorian Madison Browne has been named captain of the U21 squad, whilst fellow Victorian Sharni Layton will vice-captain the tour.