Southby has been appointed New Zealand under-21 coach and is charged with helping the age group side bridge the gap between the nations at that level.
New Zealand was well-beaten 64-46 by Australia in the final of the world youth championships in the Cook Islands earlier this year.
Southby was the assistant coach and is only too aware of the margin between the two teams.
But she believes there is some promising talent emerging and is excited by the challenge ahead.
"We really struggled against Australia in Raratonga with their height and speed," Southby said.
"But we have some exciting young players coming through and it is about giving them the opportunity and game experience."
Southby led the Rebels for their final two seasons before they were disbanded, and also played for the franchise from 2001-2003.
She has coached the Otago team in the Lois Muir Challenge for the past two seasons and is keen to take on a coaching role in the ANZ Championship.
"That is something I'd really like the opportunity to do. But positions don't come up that often and, I guess, I see this as a really good opportunity to keep progressing my coaching.
"Hopefully the experience I gain will stand me in good stead for a franchise position.
"It's also an opportunity to work with elite young athletes and to experience international opposition."
Otago's Emily Close, Jessica Moulds and Hayley Saunders have retained their places in the squad, and Shannon Francois is one of six new players named in the 17-strong team.
Nothing has been confirmed but a camp later this year and early next year is in the planning stages with a series against Australia also in the pipeline.
Four additional players have been named in an accelerant group.
Netball New Zealand high performance director Tracey Fear said she was excited about launching the new talent development programme.
"This is an important step in continuing to grow player depth at elite level," she said, in a press release.
New Zealand
Under-21 squad
Te Amo Amaru-Tibble, Jodi Beaumont, Carli Botes, Alanah Cassidy, Emily Close, Kayla Cullen, Shannon Francois, Ellen Halpenny, Kendall McMinn, Jessica Moulds, Hayley Saunders, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Elias Shadrock, Ashleigh Smith, Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick, Joanna Trip, Emma Weenink
Accelerant group: Sheridan Bignall, Sophia Fenwick, Greer Patterson, Storm Purvis
