Eleven South Australian athletes have been selected in the 17U and 19U national pathway squads for 2023-24.
Netball Australia released the full list of 64 athletes from across the country following the National Netball Championships in Darwin last week.
The following South Australians were selected in the 17U squad:
- Annelise Janssen - Garville Netball Club
- Jemma Kelly - Metro Jets Netball Club
- Zalii Reid - Willunga Netball Club
- Poppy Scholz - Oakdale Netball Club
- Summer Smith - Loxton Netball Club
The following South Australians were selected in the 19U squad:
- Sophie Casey - Matrics Netball Club
- Kaili Cook-Shakles - Oakdale Netball Club
- Lucy Denton - Garville Netball Club
- Kayla Graham - Contax Netball Club
- Tabitha Packer - Contax Netball Club
- Lucy Voyvodic - Matrics Netball Club
The squads were selected by a panel made up of Netball Australia’s Pathway Head Coach Anita Keelan, chair of selectors Michelle Wilkins and selector Jacqui Illman.
Wilkins said the 2023 National Netball Championships highlighted the bright future of Australian netball.
“The 2023 National Netball Championships was one of the most tightly contested competitions in many years,” Wilkins said.
“The shooting ability from both age groups demonstrated impressive skill to react under pressure, the midcourt craft showed great depth and variety, and the defensive talent was both athletic and exciting.”
Of the 28 selected 19/U athletes, four are currently involved with Suncorp Super Netball clubs as training partners, including Kayla Graham and Sophie Casey (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Olivia Wilkinson (Collingwood Magpies) and Grace Whyte (NSW Swifts).
