Wellington shooter Jodi Te Huna will lead the New Zealand under-21 netball team to tour Fiji next month.
Players in the national league dominate the team, with 11 of the 12 playing in the National Bank-sponsored competition. The odd one out is Krystal Feterika-Opetaia, of Auckland.
Te Huna, who turned 21 on
Monday, slotted into the right timeframe to still be eligible for the age-group team.
She was delighted with her selection and surprised with the captaincy.
"It was like a birthday present and came as a big surprise," Te Huna said.
"It's an honour to represent your country, and to be named as a leader will be a challenge.
"And it's one big step towards my goal of going to Jamaica next year [for the senior world championships]."
Two notable absentees are Force goal shoot Daneka Wipiiti and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic goal defence Joline Henry, who are both 19.
"They are basically beyond under-21 development level," coach Te Aroha Keenan said.
"They have played a number of internationals at the under-21 and New Zealand A level, so they should really be looking ahead to the next level."
Diamond's Rachel Rasmussen's inclusion is subject to a fitness clearance after the defender injured a leg in Friday's national league match against the Canterbury Flames.
"These players are the future elite players of New Zealand and their development needs to be channelled in that direction," Keenan said. Te Huna, Rasmussen, Jenna Swan and Allison Toi competed in the 2000 World Youth Cup in Wales, where New Zealand finished third.
The next world youth event will be played in the United States in 2004.
The team assemble in Auckland on June 14 before departing for Fiji on June 17. They will have three matches against the national side on June 19, 20 and 22.
Team: Stephanie Bond, Katie Ritchie, Anna Scarlett, Alison Shanks (Otago Rebels), Malu Fa'asavalu, Jenna Swan (Force), Krystal Feterika-Opetaia, Kimberley Horton, Rachel Rasmussen (Diamonds), Jodi Te Huna (capt, Capital Shakers), Nicolette Ropati, Allison Toi (vice-capt, Cometz).
- NZPA
