Netball Australia has named a 17-strong cohort of promising athletes in the 2023 Australia 21/U Squad set to hone their craft this September.
The selection comes after last week’s Australian Netball Championships (ANC) where the best pathway athletes around the country hit the court to represent their state or territory.
Included in the list of 17, were five members of the GIANTS family.
Amy Sligar, Erin O'Brien, Charli Fidler and Millie Roach all earnt selection off the back of strong performances at last week's ANC in Brisbane's north, while Matisse Letherbarrow's strong 2023 Suncorp Super Netball campaign has also seen her added to the list.
Letherbarrow and Sligar are one of just three players who were named in the same squad in 2022.
Netball Australia Pathway Chair of Selectors, Michelle Wilkins commended the athleticism displayed at this year’s Australian Netball Championships.
“The talent we witnessed was of high skill across all the states and territories,” Wilkins said.
“With eleven teams competing, it gave teams the opportunity to experience varied playing styles which contributed to the level of competition which grew each day the competition, culminating in a skilled and physical Grand Final.
“There is tremendous potential in our pathway to inform a strong future in the Suncorp Super Netball and Origin Australian Diamonds.”
Wilkins also commented on this year’s selected Australian Squad.
“The talent within this year’s 21/U pool demonstrates a good variety of athletes and skillsets,” she said.
“The athletes coming through the system are incredibly strong and conditioned. To compete at such a high level and sustain that form across a weeklong competition is always impressive.”
The selected squad will complete a four-day training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport from Thursday 7 September. A pivotal development tool, the camp will provide athletes with specialist coaching, match play and off court education.
The camp will be lead by Anita Keelan, Netball Australia Pathway Head Coach and Selector, with support from specialist coaches Kylee Byrne (shooting), Christine Voge (midcourt) and Cathy Fellows (defence).
2023 Australian 21/U Squad Athletes:
Zali Anderson - Collingwood Magpies / VIC
Emily Andrew - Victorian Fury / VIC
Ava Black - Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts / QLD
Maggie Caris - Victorian Fury / VIC
Jess Conlan - Swifts Academy / NSW
Liz Dronfield - West Coast Fever Reserves / WA
Ashleigh Ervin - Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts / QLD
Sophie Fawns - Swifts Academy / NSW
Charli Fidler - GIANTS Academy / NSW
Jessie Grenvold - Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures / SA
Georgie Horjus - Adelaide Thunderbirds / SA
Matisse Letherbarrow - GIANTS Netball / NSW
Audrey Little - Swifts Academy / NSW
Erin O'Brien - GIANTS Academy / NSW
Millie Roach - GIANTS Academy / NSW
Amy Sligar - GIANTS Academy / NSW
Zara Walters - Victorian Fury / VIC
