Silver Fern Amelia Walmsley Available For NZU21 And Silver Ferns Selection
Rising Silver Ferns shooter Amelia Walmsley has confirmed her availability for selection for both the NZU21 team for the Netball World Youth Cup 2025 (NWYC2025) in Gibraltar and the Silver Ferns for the Constellation Cup Series against the Australian Diamonds later this year.
The NWYC2025 is the pinnacle event for emerging netballers under the age of 21 and will be held at the Tercentenary Sports Hall and Europa Sports Park in Gibraltar 19th – 28th September.
Meanwhile, the Constellation Cup – a four-Test series between netball's fiercest rivals – will begin in Australia 17 October before concluding on home soil in Aotearoa New Zealand, 29 October.
Walmsley, who made her Silver Ferns debut in September 2023 against England and has six Test caps to her name, said the decision to make herself available for both campaigns was not taken lightly.
'This was an incredibly difficult decision, but one I feel truly privileged to be in a position to make,' said Walmsley.
'I'm grateful to Dame Noeline and Julie for their support, and to the players who openly shared their Netball World Youth Cup experiences, both those who took part and those who didn't. Their insights were valuable in helping me make a decision.
'With a carefully tailored schedule from the Silver Ferns high performance team, I'm confident I can fully commit to both NZU21 and Silver Ferns campaigns should the opportunity arise.
'Making myself available for NZU21 selection came from a desire to experience a Netball World Youth Cup environment and the unique opportunity to represent my age group one final time. I see this as a chance to expand my leadership, challenge myself, and gain exposure to 20 different international styles. It's an opportunity that will help me develop as a person, player, and teammate in any environment. It is also one that prepares me for potential future involvement in World Cups or the Commonwealth Games.
'Equally important to me is the opportunity to return to the Silver Ferns space after the tournament, if selected. Wearing the black dress is something I never take for granted, and I believe that what I could gain in the NZU21 environment would only strengthen what I can offer in the Silver Ferns environment.
'If I get the opportunity to come back and play in the Constellation Cup series, it will give me the chance to continue to grow and learn, further establish myself in this space, and continue to strive towards selection for future campaigns like the Netball World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
'Ultimately, this decision allows me to gain the best of both worlds. A space to grow and compete on the youth international stage, and the opportunity to carry that growth forward to serve the black dress.'
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua commended Walmsley for her maturity in working through the decision and reiterated her support for players gaining meaningful experiences across both programmes.
'We fully support Amelia's decision to make herself available for both teams and have worked closely with her to ensure she has a sustainable plan in place,' said Dame Noeline.
'What she could gain from the Netball World Youth Cup is invaluable – the leadership opportunity, international exposure, and personal growth all contribute to her continued development in our Silver Ferns environment.
'We're proud of the way she's approached this decision and the thought she's put into what's best for her growth as both a player and a person. There are no guarantees around selection for either team, but her intent and commitment speak volumes.'
NZU21 head coach Julie Seymour echoed Dame Noeline's sentiments and praised the alignment between the high-performance programmes.
'Having Amelia make herself available for selection is a real positive for the NZU21 group, and it reflects the strength of the collaboration between our high-performance environments,' Seymour said.
'We've worked closely with the Silver Ferns management team to ensure that any player who may be eligible and interested in the Netball World Youth Cup has the right support. Amelia's availability is a credit to that process. If selected, she would bring invaluable experience to the group and gain just as much in return.'
The Constellation Cup will begin with two Tests in Australia before returning to New Zealand for the final two matches:
Game 1: Diamonds v Silver Ferns – Friday 17 October, John Cain Arena, Melbourne
Game 2: Diamonds v Silver Ferns – Wednesday 22 October, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
Game 3: Silver Ferns v Diamonds – Sunday 26 October, GLOBOX Arena, Hamilton
Game 4: Silver Ferns v Diamonds – Wednesday 29 October, Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
Amelia Walmsley
Silver Fern #184
Positions: GS, GA
Date of Birth: 31 January 2004
Height: 192cm
Test Caps: 6
Debut: 27 September 2023 v England Roses
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