Netball Australia has named 22 athletes in the 2021 Australia 21 and Under Squad, after Australia’s most promising young netball talent came together last week for state-based training camps.
With selection now made, Netball Australia plans to bring the selected squad together for a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra in February. Both Leesa Mi Mi and Nyah Allen have both been included as invitees for this camp.
After a year of setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Head Coach Kylee Byrne is excited to work with this group.
“I am incredibly grateful we are able to begin preparing for the Netball World Youth Cup again after the COVID-19 pandemic put it on hold this year,” Byrne said.
“Over the next 10 months, myself and the selection panel will be monitoring athlete performances in building towards the Netball World Youth Cup, at camps and various competitions set to take place in 2021.
“I see so much potential with this group of athletes and I can’t wait to spend the next year working closely with them in the hope of bringing back the Netball World Youth Cup to Australia.”
Six athletes of the squad are currently signed to 2021 Suncorp Super Netball squad lists including Sunday Aryang, Ruby Barkmeyer, Sophie Dwyer, Georgie Horjus, Matilda McDonell, and Allie Smith.
The selection panel is made up of Kylee Byrne, Michelle Wilkins (Netball Centre of Excellence Head Coach) and proxy Australian 21 and Under Selector Carol Cathcart, with the permanent appointment of the third selector to be confirmed in January 2021.
Further athlete selection will take place in the months leading up to the 2021 Netball World Youth Cup set to take place in Fiji from 1-19 December.
2021 Australia 21 and Under Squad:
Sunday Aryang – WA
Lucy Austin – SA
Ruby Barkmeyer – VIC
Reilley Batcheldor – QLD
Chelsea Blackman – SA
Gabby Coffey – NT
Jemma Donoghue – NSW
Sophie Dwyer – NSW
Georgie Horjus – SA
Clare Iongi – NSW
Matisse Letherbarrow – NSW
Matilda McDonell – NSW
Annie Miller – NSW
Hannah Mundy – VIC
Tyler Orr – SA
Maddie Ridley – VIC
Amy Sligar – NSW
Allie Smith – VIC
Mia Stower – QLD
Emma Walters – VIC
Molly Watson – SA
Tayla Williams – SA
February Camp Invitees:
Nyah Allen – SA
Leesa Mi Mi - QLD
