Renata's selection Wanganui rarity

Wanganui netballer Chantelle Renata has been selected for the Western under-21 team to compete in the 2012 New Zealand age group championships in Auckland in July.

Renata's selection breaks a bit of a drought for Wanganui players entering the Western ranks.

Nicole Dryden, from Sport Wanganui, said Renata was a talented and adaptable player capable of making an impression in the circle as goal shoot or goal keep.

"Chantelle lives in Wanganui and plays for Kaierau A and also for a Manawatu club side," Dryden said.

"She can play either as goal shoot or goal keep and it's great to see a Wanganui player in the team. It's been a while since we've had anyone selected for the U21 or even the senior Western sides, I think," she said.

Meanwhile, 11 players were selected to represent Western U21 as they prepare for the age group championships from July 2-5.

The team features three athletes returning from the 2011 Western U21 team and two who took part in Western's successful Lois Muir Challenge campaign.

Nine of the players are from Manawatu, including Renata, and two from Taranaki. Ngataliah Roberts, from Taranaki, is out injured until June 10.

The team will play a warm-up game against Wellington U21 on June 10 in Porirua and then play in the Waikato Age Group Tournament in Hamilton on July 10.

Western U21:

Renee Matoe, Whitney Cassidy, Cheyenne Walker, Materoa Poi, Kamie Veikoso, Tori Ratima, Jenna O'Sullivan, all Manawatu; Chantelle Renata, Wanganui/Manawatu; Loretta Cribb Josie Matuku Ngataliah Roberts, all Taranaki. Josie Cleaver head coach, Deb Gurney assistant coach, Kerry Gilmour manager, Lydia Radich/Nadine Moore physiotherapist.