Netball: Youth given priority over veterans in touring side

Grace Rasmussen will be assessed for potential to step up to the Silver Ferns. Photo / Getty Images

The Silver Ferns selectors' emphasis on youth for the end of year tour to England and Jamaica leaves no room for veterans Maree Bowden and Sheryl Scanlan.

Netball New Zealand yesterday named a 15-strong touring squad for next month's World Series in Manchester, followed by a one-off test against England and two tests on the way home against Jamaica in Kingston.

As expected, New Zealand Under-21 stars Camilla Lees and Charlotte Kight have been included in the touring party. The pair, who both impressed during the ANZ Championship, are the only two in the New Zealand squad yet to play for the Silver Ferns.

But the big surprise in yesterday's announcement was the inclusion of young Northern Mystics attacker Grace Rasmussen as a training partner for the tour. Rasmussen, another star of the New Zealand Under-21 side in last month's World Youth Cup in the Cook Islands, has been selected from outside the New Zealand squad, but there is the potential for her to be elevated to the senior side if she impresses in the Silver Ferns environment.

Livewire midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase also makes a return after missing four of the tests against Australia due to a calf injury.

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken said the focus for the end of year tour is on developing the depth in her squad.

"After Australia it was about widening the net really and going forward again," she said.

Aitken said it was a tough decision to leave out Scanlan after the veteran defender only took the court for one quarter against Australia.

"For Sheryl I think she worked hard when she came into camp with us, but for her she knows she's not yet where she needs to be."

Rasmussen's inclusion as a training partner is recognition the youngster has put in the hard yards this year.

The Aucklander was regarded as a bright young prospect in the sport when, at the age of 17, she was a member of the New Zealand Under-21 side that won the World Youth title in 2005. But while many of her teammates such as Casey Williams, Laura Langman, Maria Tutaia, Katrina Grant, Liana Barrett-Chase and Wendy Telfer went on to make the step up to senior level, Rasmussen's development stalled somewhat. Aitken believes Rasmussen has taken a major step up over the last 12 months, lifting her commitment to training and has shown a strong determination to succeed.

TOURING SQUAD

Liana Barrett-Chase, Temepara George (vc), Katrina Grant, Paula Griffin, Joline Henry, Charlotte Kight, Laura Langman, Camilla Lees, Wendy Telfer, Anna Thompson, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Larrissa Willcox, Casey Williams (c). Training partner: Grace Rasmussen.

SCHEDULE

* World netball series, Manchester, October 9-11.
* Silver Ferns v England, Bath, October 15.
* Silver Ferns v Jamaica, Kingston, October 20.
* Silver Ferns v Jamaica, Kingston, October 22.