"We are spoilt for choice," said New Zealand secondary school coaches Marianne Delaney and Julie Seymour at the end of the national under-17 netball championships in Hastings yesterday.
Both coaches, representing Netball New Zealand emerging talent selectors, studied more than 300 players representing 33 regions this week.
They were mostimpressed with the talent on display and the height of some players. In naming the tournament team, Delaney said: "The fitness of the teams was at a level we were hoping to see. We were not disappointed."
Of the 15 selected, Seymour said: "As well as natural ability, we looked for contributors to the overall team dynamic, their skill, athleticism and that something special that makes them stand out. Most of the players come from top teams but we did not rule out those standout players with the x-factor from the lesser performing teams."
For players to gain higher honours, they need to come on the selector's radar throughout a season. "The NZ age group under-17 championship is the first step," said Delaney. "This is followed by the NZ secondary schools championships in a few months' time. If a player continues to impress in more than one tournament they will move into a development squad before trialling for a New Zealand squad."
