Latest news with #NZU21
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
New Zealand U21 Triallists Named
Netball New Zealand has today confirmed the 23 athletes invited to attend trials for selection for the NZU21 team to play in the upcoming Netball World Youth Cup. The trials will take place in Auckland from Wednesday 30 July to Friday 1 August. Following a comprehensive selection process, the Emerging Talent Selection Panel – Adrienne Morrin, Robin Manihera, and Deb Tasi-Cordtz – in collaboration with NZ U21 Head coach Julie Seymour and assistant coach Te Aroha Keenan, has named a talented group of athletes who will assemble in Auckland for the three-day trials. The majority of triallists have been drawn from the current NZ U21 squad, having been closely observed over the past 12–16 months through national U21 camps, international tours, and domestic competitions – including this season's Synergy Hair Netball League and the ANZ Premiership. Three athletes – Stacey Ah Van, Losa Fifita, and Sophia Lafaiali'i – have been selected from outside the current NZ U21 programme. All three have featured on the Emerging Talent Panel's depth chart and have continued to impress with their performances throughout the 2025 season. The full list of selected triallists is as follows: No. Name ANZ Premiership team/Zone team2025 1 Amelia Walmsley Pulse 2 Avah Sila Northern 3 Brooklyn Murray WBOP 4 Charlice Bryce WBOP 5 Charlotte Manley Mystics 6 Ella Southby South 7 Josie Seymour Mainland 8 Kaiya Kepa WBOP 9 Kate Taylor Magic 10 Khanye-Lii Munro-Nonoa Steel 11 Laura Balmer Pulse 12 Losa Fifita Northern 13 Madison Thomas Central 14 Phoenix Schwalger Central 15 Priscilla Rasmussen Northern 16 Sarah Guiney Central 17 Serina Daunakamakama Steel 18 Shayla Nepia Northern 19 Sienna Stowers-Smith Mainland 20 Sophia Lafaiali'i Mystics 21 Stacey Ah Van Northern 22 Summer Temu Steel 23 Taiana Day Mainland The final team of 12 to represent New Zealand at the Netball World Youth Cup will be announced on 4 August.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
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
