Australian 19/U team to gain international experience

Monday, July 30, 2012

Australian underage coach Stacey West has named her Australian 19/U team to contest international practice matches against the four teams preparing for August’s 21/U International Netball Series in Ballarat.

The Australian 19/U team will get a rare but valuable chance to gain international netball exposure according to West when they take on the Australian 21/U team, New Zealand 21/U team, England 21/U team and Samoa 21/U team over four days.

“The four days will be short and intense but a massive opportunity for international exposure to our next level of Australian netballers,” West said.

“The program was established a few years ago to give our athletes access to our national style of netball which is very exciting for them.

“A chance to expose our athletes to what Australian netball is so the athletes coming through are aware of the culture, what it means to wear the uniform and get that feeling of representing your country at such a young age.

“This is a really exciting year for our Australian 19/U program because this is our best chance to play against three different styles of netball so for these athletes it’s a huge opportunity that few other athletes have had prior to this.”

This opportunity to will not only provide the young and promising athletes the opportunity to further their games with international experience but another chance to impress national selectors ahead of next year’s World Youth Netball Championships.

“A lot of these players are still in contention for next year’s World Youth Netball Championships so for them it’s another chance to perform against the same opposition that the Australia 21/U team will be playing against and expect at next year’s championships.

“It’s a chance for these athletes to be seen at the upcoming 21/U tournament and put themselves in the position to go for the World Youth Netball Championships in 2013.

“When an opportunity presents you see what players take it and that’s what I’m looking forward to seeing next month.”

West has described her underage team as versatile with a strong and experienced defence, a blend of speed and strength in the mid court and good tall raw talented and creative shooters.

Australian19/U team:

Kelly Altmann (SA), Sophie Halpin (NSW), Sarah Klau (SA), Chelsea Lemke (SA), Sarah Main (VIC), Kate Moloney (VIC), Jemmason Power (QLD), Keely Rodrigo (ACT), Amehlia Schmidt (SA), Kate Thompson (VIC), Numi Tupaea (WA), Demi Woodlock (VIC)