Netball: Sinclair re-selected for schools squad

Rotorua's Samantha Sinclair has been included in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Netball Team for a third consecutive year.

The talented centre, who does her schooling at John Paul College, was selected in the 12-strong side to play in the Trans-Tasman Secondary Schools Netball Tournament held in Rotorua late next month.

Sinclair, 17, is the only Rotorua representative in the side and said she can't wait to play in front of family and friends at the Energy Events Centre.

She said in the past two years the competition had been held in Adelaide and Wellington, so it would be a welcome change playing at home.

"I was so excited when mum told me it is being held in Rotorua," she said. "My grandparents and my family and friends will be able to come and watch."

Sinclair said it was an anxious wait holding out for a phone call from selectors on Wednesday night.

"I got a phone call at 9pm [on Wednesday]. We were told to expect a call that evening so I had my phone on me all afternoon," she said.

"I was even doing training with my phone in hand so it was good to finally get the call in the end."

This will be Sinclair's last year in the squad as she finishes her studies at John Paul College this year.

Depending on what university she goes to, she hoped to play for an ANZ Championship side in the future, Sinclair said.

New Zealand Secondary Schools coach Marianne Delaney said she was pleased with the team following a tough selection process, which included 29 players.