Netball Australia has named its squad for the upcoming 21/Under Tri-Series next January in Canberra.
South Australians and Adelaide Thunderbirds athletes Sophie Casey, Kayla Graham, Tabitha Packer, and Lucy Voyvodic have all been named alongside Tasmanian Charlotte Walker.
The 21-player squad will play a series of fixtures against England and New Zealand in a tournament of matches called the Tri-Series.
The Australian squad will be led by 21/Under National Head Coach Cathy Fellows, along with assistant Kate Upton, as preparations for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar commence.
"The January camp is a very important opportunity to bring together the wider 21/U squad to further develop on court connections and understanding of our game style, with quality training time and match play opportunities against New Zealand and England,” Fellows said.
“It will also allow the athletes and support staff to continue to develop their off-court connections and how we will represent Netball Australia on the international stage.
“This camp will also overlap with the Origin Australian Diamonds camp, so it is an amazing opportunity to be exposed to their environment."
West Coast Fever pair Ruth Aryang and Olivia Wilkinson headline the January squad, along with Suncorp Super Netball counterparts Lily Graham (Melbourne Vixens) and Kayla Graham (Adelaide Thunderbirds). The inaugural winner of the Dr Eve Fels First Nations Black Swan Award Scarlet Jauncey has also been named in the squad.
After previous injuries sidelining her, Ruth Ayrang said the excitement to improve, be challenged and train in a different environment is driving her to January.
“I don’t think I ever imagined getting to this point three years ago looking back during my rehab journey,” the young defender said.
“To look at where I am now is pretty surreal. I’m still in a bit of shock every now and then knowing that all the hard work did pay off and I’m back to playing.
“I’m looking forward most to improving on my individual focus areas but also embracing new people to train alongside in a different environment.”
The sister of Origin Australian Diamond, Sunday Aryang, Ruth said the Diamonds hold inspiration for her when she steps on the netball court.
“The Diamonds’ standards and determination are what I look up to. They set the bar so high and it makes me want to push myself to that level of excellence during every group or individual training session.
“Whatever I’m doing, I’m making sure it’s always at one hundred percent effort.”
The Tri-Series is set to take to place from Friday January 17 until Thursday January 23 and will be hosted at the AIS and Canberra’s Radford College, with the latter venue open to spectators.
2025 21/Under Tri-Series Squad:
Ruth Aryang (Western Australia/ West Coast Fever)
Nicola Barge (New South Wales/ QBE Swifts Academy)
Sophie Casey (South Australia/ Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Jada Delaney (Queensland/ Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Kayla Graham (South Australia/ Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Lily Graham (Victoria/ Melbourne Vixens)
Scarlet Jauncey (Western Australia/ West Coast Fever Academy)
Mia Lavis (Victoria/ Melbourne Vixens)
Nevaeh Matenga (New South Wales/ QBE Swifts Academy)
Monika ‘Otai (New South Wales/ GIANTS Netball)
Tabitha Packer (South Australia/ Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Frederika Schneideman (New South Wales/ NSW Swifts)
Charlotte Sexton (Victoria/ Melbourne Vixens)
Ruby Shannon (Victoria/ Melbourne Vixens)
Elsa Sif Sandholt (Queensland/ Queensland Firebirds)
Lucy Voyvodic (South Australia/ Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Charlotte Walker (Tasmania/ Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Hope White (New South Wales/ GIANTS Netball)
Grace Whyte (New South Wales/ NSW Swifts)
Clara Wigley (Western Australia/ West Coast Fever Academy)
Olivia Wilkinson (Victoria/ West Coast Fever)
Tri-Series Matches:
Friday 17th January (AIS)
England v New Zealand
Australia Green v Australia Gold
Saturday 18th January (AIS)
Australia Green v New Zealand
Australia Gold v England
Sunday 19th January (AIS)
Australia Green v England
Australia Gold v New Zealand
Tuesday 21st January (Radford College)
England v New Zealand
Australia Green v Australia Gold
Wednesday 22nd January (Radford College)
Australia Green v New Zealand
Australia Gold v England
Thursday 23rd January (Radford College)
Australia Green v England
Australia Gold v New Zealand
