The 19-year-old midcourter performed strongly during the national age group tournament in Nelson last month. Otago beat Canterbury 60-59 in a tense final to claim the under-21 title and Crampton and team-mate Miaana Walden have been rewarded with a promotion.
Defender Kat Dimitrievska and Sam Stewart are the other new faces in the squad. They forced their way into the side with some solid performances at club level and in the trial game on the weekend.
Crampton, who is a member of the New Zealand under-21 side, was born in Hamilton but honed her netball skills in Wellington before moving to Dunedin to attend university two years ago.
"It is a big privilege [being named in the Otago side]," she said.
"It will definitely be a big step up from the under-21s but I think it will be good. It will be a lot faster and there will be a lot of really good players to play against."
Otago coach Deb Tasi-Cordtz said Crampton had developed a good combination with fellow New Zealand under-21 midcourter Shannon Francois.
"They have a great relationship from the under-21 stuff and we are hoping they will be secure for us in the midcourt.""Sam Stewart has put a lot of hard work in over the summer and has always been on the fringe ... but she has stepped up and performed exceptionally well.
"Kat is a real nuggety player and offers a different dimension to what Louise [Thayer] and Sam do at the back.
"And Miaana has had a fantastic season with the under-21 and she is our midcourt back-up option, I guess."
Former Silver Ferns shooter Jodi Brown will anchor a potent attack end which includes New Zealand under-21 shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
Experienced shooter Greir Campbell has been selected in the team as a defender but will slot back into the shooting circle if required. Campbell will compete for starting places in the defensive circle with experienced goal keep Thayer and the two newbies, Stewart and Dimitrievska.
The midcourt looks promising, with the likes of Crampton, Francois and talented wing defence Jaimee Power.
Otago opens its campaign against Southland at the Edgar Centre on September 3.
Otago Netball
2011 Squad
Jodi Brown, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Kate Shearer, Gina Crampton, Shannon Francois, Jaimee Power, Miaana Walden, Louise Thayer, Greir Campbell, Sam Stewart, Kat Dimitrievska.
