Competition for places in the Western netball squads was intense at a trial session last week - so intense that the Western One lineup is still being mulled over.
The quality of play in the trial at Wanganui High School was enough to give Western One head coach Annette Pearce a
few headaches.
She planned to announce a squad of 12 this week to compete in the Lion Foundation champs in September, one level below the ANZ championship. However, there may be 14 names when the list is finally revealed.
The trials also covered Western's under-21 team for the New Zealand age group championships in Nelson from July 18-21, and yesterday 10 players were named for that.
The team features four players returning from the 2010 under-21 team and is predominantly made up of those who took part in Western's successful Lois Muir Challenge campaign.
The shooting end of the court is led by Haier Pulse and NZ under-21 goal attack Amber Bellringer along with youngsters Brooke Leaver and Tamsin Moala, who did well in the Muir challenge.
Moala is currently playing in the Transtasman Secondary Schools competition for New Zealand.
In the mid-court, NZ under-21 team member Sheridan Bignall will spearhead the attack down the court alongside Renee Matoe, Whitney Cassidy and Manawatu youngster Rhiarna Ferris.
NZ under-21 squad member Jodi Beaumont will have the chance to form effective combinations with up-and-coming defenders Jenna O'Sullivan and Greer Patterson.
The Western U21 team will play a warmup game against Wellington U21 on July 3 in Porirua followed by the Waikato age group tournament in Hamilton on July 10.
Western U21: Jodi Beaumont (Manawatu), Amber Bellringer (Manawatu), Sheridan Bignall (Manawatu), Whitney Cassidy (Manawatu), Rhiarna Ferris (Manawatu), Brooke Leaver (Manawatu), Renee Matoe (Manawatu), Tamsin Moala (Taranaki), Jenna O'Sullivan (Manawatu/Taranaki), Greer Patterson (Taranaki).
Josie Cleaver (head coach), Deb Gurney (assistant coach), Annie Butler (manager), Lydia Radich (physiotherapist).
