WAIS Netballers Named in 19/U National Squad

Western Australia has had five athletes named on the Australian 19/U national squad following last week’s age championships in Sydney.

WAIS scholarship holders; Jess Anstiss, Sophie Garbin, Annika Lee-Jones, Nicole Lendich and Phoebe Wilcox made the 22-strong squad and will travel to the Netball Australia Centre of Excellence for camps before competing at a Trans Tasman tournament in May, where the squad will be split into two teams and play against their New Zealand counterparts.

Australian 19/U national coach Tania Obst said the selections represented a golden opportunity for the next generation of Australian talent.

“The opportunity for these athletes to gain international experience at such a young age is invaluable to their development and we hope this opportunity will help push for future Australian 21/U and Diamonds selections,” Obst said.

“We have the privilege of playing two Australian teams in New Zealand, which allows for more of our squad to gain this exposure.”

“The squad we have chosen really impressed us throughout the Championships we think we have selected the best group of young 19/U netball talent in the nation, and are happy with the depth our squad will provide us,” Obst said.

The Western Australian team finished fourth at the 19/U national championships, winning four of their seven matches, with a draw and two losses.

The Australian 17/U national squad was also selected after the 17/U national carnival, WAIS athlete Natalie Bright was one of four WA athletes selected in the squad.

The WA 17/U squad finished fifth at the championships, winning four matches.