Two up and coming netball players of Maori descent have been named in the Australian U-21 squad, showing there is more Maori and Pacific netball talent rising through the ranks 
across the Tasman.
They are 20 year-old Chelsea Pitman, whose Maori heritage is traced through her mother to Tauranga, Courtney Tairi, who has a Maori father.
The Australian U-21 Squad was named following the completion of The Athlete’s Foot National Netball Championships.
With the depth of talent in the country, it was a tough decision for the selectors which included AIS and Australian 21/U coach Simone McKinnis, National coach Norma Plummer and Jane Searle, former Melbourne Kestrels coach and Australian representative.
“I really am looking forward to working with this talented group of athletes,” McKinnis said.
“Selection has been a process over a 12 month period with performances in the 2007 Commonwealth Bank Trophy, 21/U Nationals, Camps as well as performances in 2008 in ANZ pre-season and the recent Nationals taken in to consideration.
“We will also be closely watching performances in ANZ Championship as we add to the squad in preparation for international competition this year and the World Youth Cup in 2009.”
The newly named squad will participate in a number of camps at the Australian Institute of Sport, including competition with the 21/U England team prior to team selection for a tour of New Zealand later in the year to gain further exposure at international level.
Further athletes will be ‘invited’ into camps and may be added to the squad.
U-21 Australian Squad:
Caitlin Bassett - WA
Shae Bolton - VIC
Kimberly Borger - NSW
Madison Browne - VIC
Laura Geitz - QLD
Andrea Gilmore - WA
Ashlee Howard - VIC
Jasmine Keene - WA
Kathleen Knott - VIC
Sharni Layton - VIC
Samantha May - NSW
Chelsea Pitman - NSW
Kara Richards - VIC
Laura Scherian - QLD
Amy Steel - VIC
Courtney Tairi - NSW
Sheree Wingard – SA
