Headed by ANZ Championship young guns Caitlin Bassett and Shae Bolton, the Australians are out for World Youth Netball Championship gold, following their third placing at the last championship four years ago.

Boasting the future of Australian netball, the team consists of five ANZ Championship players, including three Australian squad members, and six Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) scholarship holders.

Australian Diamond squad member and West Coast Fever centre court, Madison Browne will captain the team with AIS scholarship holder Sharni Layton taking up the vice-captain role.

After such a long build up towards the World Youth Netball Championship, the opportunity to regain the title is starting to feel like reality for Australian 21/U coach Simone McKinnis.

”It has become a reality now,” McKinnis said.

“For a long time it was just talk, I guess because it always seemed so far off.

“It is reality now. We’re all really excited to leave for the Cook Islands to try and win back the title.”

Regarded as a major threat to the championship, the young Australians will be doing their best to make the Grand Final on 20 August and come home as the world’s best 21/U netball team.

Queensland Firebirds shooter Romelda Aiken will head the Jamaican attack, while England and 2005 champions New Zealand also pose a threat to an Australian victory.

“Our form over the last 18 months has probably given us an edge over New Zealand, England and Jamaica.” McKinnis explained.

“We’ve been good but certainly I see them as the teams that will be there contesting at the end.”

AIS scholarship holder and National Championships San Remo MVP, Kimberley Borger did not fly out to the Cook Islands this morning due to injury.

Borger will be replaced by Victorian shooter, Teagan Caldwell.

The 2009 WYNC will be held in the Cook Islands from August 11-20.

The Australian 21/U WYNC team

Caitlin Bassett - WA (West Coast Fever)
Shae Bolton - VIC (West Coast Fever)
Madison Browne - VIC (West Coast Fever)
Teagan Caldwell - VIC
Sophie Croft - QLD (AIS)
Shannon Eagland - VIC (AIS)
Andrea Gilmore - WA (West Coast Fever)
Ashlee Howard - VIC (Melbourne Vixens)
Sharni Layton - VIC (AIS)
Laura Scherian - QLD (AIS)
Amy Steel - VIC (AIS)
Courtney Tairi - NSW (AIS)

Coach - Simone McKinnis
Specialist Coach - Nicole Cusack
Manager - Donna Monteath
Physiotherapist - Steve Hawkins
Massage Therapist - Gamal Darwish
Doctor - Bianca Scotney