Women's squad named for Youth Water Polo championships

Morgan McDowall is the youngest ever to be selected for a New Zealand team.

The New Zealand Women's Youth Water Polo squad has been announced today ahead of the FINA World Women's Youth Water Polo Championships being held in Auckland next week.

The team of 13 selected from the top women's players under 18, are set to impress with their coaches confident this squad will rival even some of the biggest competitors, USA and Canada.

Senior women's coach, Angie Winstanley-Smith, has been helping to coach the youth squad leading up to the international championships and she's excited about the potential result.

"They are a strong team with every position well covered, I think our team might be underestimated and the girls will definitely pull something out of the bag," says Winstanley-Smith.

Liana Dance, former Kristin School student and club player for North Harbour, is one player who was guaranteed a spot in the final selection.

In September, Dance secured a unique all-expense paid contract to play for CN Mataro in Barcelona and returns to the country tomorrow just in time for the FINA Water Polo Championships next week.

Earlier this year Morgan McDowall was named the most valuable player and at only 14, is the youngest ever to be selected for a New Zealand team, and potentially the entire championships.

The New Zealand women's youth squad has hopes of competing at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan and McDowall is in an opportune position to be selected for the Olympic squad.

"I was really surprised to be picked but I'm excited to play against the international teams, especially USA because they're Olympians. I'm nervous but I know this is a great experience," says McDowall.

The New Zealand squad will train this week against Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands in preparation for their first game against South Africa on Monday 12 December.

2016 New Zealand Youth Women's Squad
Liana Dance - CN Mataro (Barcelona)/North Harbour (Auckland)
Bernadette Doyle - North Harbour (Auckland)
Mikayla Eruera - Marist (Auckland)
Emmerson Houghton - Waikato
Malia Josephson - Tauranga/Marist
Jessica Marsden - North Harbour
Morgan McDowall - Hibiscus Coast
Emily Nicholson - North Harbour
Caitlin Mary Parker Allen - Marist
Nadia Pavlovich - North Harbour
Emily Sanderson - North Harbour
Alisha Winstanley (GK) - Tauranga/North Harbour
Antonia Young (GK) - Marist