A trio of Southern Blast players have been selected in the New Zealand under-21 squad.
Laura Balmer, Emilie Nicholson and Ella Southby were announced in the 23-strong squad yesterday, alongside Southern Steel replacements Serina Daunakamakama and Summer Temu.
The under-21 squad, coached by former Silver Ferns midcourter Julie Seymour, will assemble for a camp in Auckland from August 7 to 10, after which a team of 14 will be selected for the Rising Stars Fiji under-21 tour.
They will compete against two teams from Australia, two from Fiji and one from Singapore in the buildup to the Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar next year.
"Being back on the international stage for the U21 age group is a big step and an important pathway for any players aspiring to take their game to the next level," Seymour said.
The team will be aiming for a third consecutive world title after Scotland (2013) and Botswana (2017). The event was cancelled in 2021 due to Covid.
Silver Ferns shooter Amelia Walmsley has been named in the squad, but her priority remains with the senior national squad. Stars defender Lili Tokaduadua was not considered for selection due to not meeting World Netball eligibility criteria.
New Zealand under-21
The squad
Laura Balmer, Emilie Nicholson, Ella Southby (South), Taiana Day, Sienna Stowers-Smith (Mainland), Caitlin Lafaele, Sarah Guiney, Rachel Price, Madison Thomasm, Phoenix Schwalger, Amelia Walmsley (Central), Kaiya Kepa, Kate Taylor (Waikato-BOP), Serina Daunakamakama, Summer Temu, Charlotte Manley, Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa, Priscilla Rasmussen, Maria Tatupu, Lillian Henare-Vaihu, Ava Sila, Charlie Lindsay, Shayla Nepia (Northern).
