Big step up awaits squad to represent Wanganui

SCHOOL REP: Collegiate's Sophie Collins will graduate to full senior honours with the Netball Wanganui team, as Stephen Perofeta did in rugby. PHOTO/FILE A-190514WCBRCNET20

While a few players have solid representative experience, it will be a new level for the Netball Wanganui senior team announced today to prepare for the 2015 Lion Foundation Netball Championships.

Coach Lisa Murphy finalised her squad of 12 from the 21 players invited to trial on Thursday evening.

Three members of Premier One's champion team Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau have made the cut - Rachael Lynch, Suzanne Guilford and Kelera Kuruyabaki, while the runners-up, Phillips Electrical Wanganui High School, have had Renee Butler and Sammy Murphy chosen.

Lynch has arguably the most comparative experience, having played a season in the Western Zone team before Netball NZ decided this year to change back from regional representative squads to the old provincial format for the first time since 2000.

Butler and Murphy have played regional tournaments at Under-19 level. They, alongside Kuruyabaki and Victoria Anstis, were in the wider 2013 Wanganui Under-17 squad, the final team of which finished an extremely impressive fourth at the New Zealand Age Group Championships.

"For the rest, this is definitely the biggest thing for them," said Lisa Murphy.

"If you look at that Wellington team, there's Silver Ferns all around us."

It means the likes of Kuruyabaki could find herself marking the living legend Irene van Dyk in the Wellington team, which Murphy is convinced will happen.

"She will be marking Van Dyk. It will be good for them.

"There is depth right through and versatility in all areas.

"I feel we have chosen the best 12 and a team that can combine together in a short time," said the coach.

The team have their first training at the WHS gym on Wednesday from 6pm-7.30pm.

They have entered another pre-nationals tournament in Palmerston North on September 6, to be followed by the second in Wellington on September 12.

Then it will be the big one - the netball championships at the ASB Sport Centre in Wellington, September 28 to October 2.