Five South Australian rising stars have been selected among the nation’s best young talent in the 21U Australian Squad for the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup.
Sophie Casey, Kayla Graham, Jemma Kelly, Tabitha Packer, and Lucy Voyvodic have all been selected among the 22 from across the country.
Tasmanian defender Charlotte Walker, who made the move to South Australia to join the Adelaide Thunderbirds as a training partner in 2025, has also been selected.
Casey and Graham enter the squad with significant experience as current Adelaide Thunderbirds athletes competing in Suncorp Super Netball.
Packer and Voyvodic are also training partners with the Thunderbirds and were members of the 2025 Thunderbirds Futures side with Kelly and Walker.
All six athletes are aligned to clubs in Netball SA’s The Hospital Research Foundation Group Premier League competition, with Casey, Kelly and Voyvodic connected to Matrics Netball Club, Graham and Packer with Contax Netball Club, and Walker with Oakdale Netball Club.
All six are also current South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) scholarship holders, highlighting the significance of the relationship between SASI and Netball SA.
Squad selection was overseen by a panel comprising of 21U National Head Coach Cathy Fellows, Netball Australia’s Head of Pathway Selections Michelle Wilkins, and Pathway Head Coach Anita Keelan AM.
Athlete performances were assessed by drawing on data and insights from pathway camps, Super Netball Reserves, and the 2025 National Netball Championships.
Adelaide Thunderbirds’ General Manager of High Performance Jace Bode said these selections were a testament to the talent in South Australia and Netball SA’s pathway.
“We’re very proud to have five South Australians selected in this squad, as well as Charlotte who entered our Thunderbirds environment from Tasmania at the beginning of this year,” Bode said.
“All six of these athletes have proven their dedication to their own development and will no doubt take significant experience from being a part of this squad.
“These selections are also a credit to the Netball SA pathway, SASI netball program, and the premier league clubs in SA and Tassie that have contributed to each athletes’ development.”
Head Coach Cathy Fellows said the strength and depth across the squad reflects their potential for success in September.
“This age group is delivering an incredible level of talent,” Fellows said.
“With the Netball World Youth Cup just a few months away, this squad represents our final step in narrowing down to the 12 athletes who will wear the green and gold in Gibraltar. The competition for spots will be fierce, and that’s exactly what we want.
“We have a group of athletes who have shown they have the drive, skills, and mindset to compete at the international level.”
A final team of 12 athletes and 3 reserves will be named closer to the Netball World Youth Cup, following continued performance monitoring and preparation.
The Netball World Youth Cup is held every four years and showcases the best 21/U talent from around the globe. 20 teams will compete in the event, taking place from Friday, 19 September 2025 across ten days.
Australia will be aiming to reclaim the title when the tournament gets underway in Gibraltar this September.
South Australians/Thunderbirds pathway athletes in Australian 21U National Squad
- Sophie Casey (Adelaide Thunderbirds/Matrics Netball Club)
- Kayla Graham (Adelaide Thunderbirds/Contax Netball Club)
- Jemma Kelly (Matrics Netball Club)
- Tabitha Packer (Contax Netball Club)
- Lucy Voyvodic (Matrics Netball Club)
- Charlotte Walker (Tasmania/Oakdale Netball Club)
To view full list of selected athletes, visit Netball Australia’s website HERE.
