Netball Australia has announced its Netball Centre of Excellence Squads for 2020. Selection of these squads was conducted differently this year after the National Netball Championships, where selection is normally made, were cancelled due to COVID-19. National selectors have since worked closely with state representatives within the National Institute Network to finalise the squads, assessing each athlete based on a range of attributes, focusing on current and potential performance.
Netball ACT wish to congratulate the following four athletes on their national selection:
19/Under National Squad – Jessica Berry and Malia Harrison
17/Under National Squad – Poppy Hancox and Samantha Bondietti
The Capital Spirit / ACTAS Head Coach Kate Carpenter is delighted for these athletes. Since arriving in the ACT Carpenter has been impressed with the talent pool within the ACT and sees this growing across the coming years.
“Having been identified as local talented athletes they are now deserving of recognition in the national pathway. Jess and Malia make the step up from the 17/Under level to the 19/Under National Squad. While Poppy and Samantha are new to the national pathway, they show a readiness to perform at this level”
With squad selection now complete, Netball Australia aims to deliver training camps in late 2020 (dates to be confirmed) to ensure players maintain access to competition and development opportunities. The 2020 17/Under and 19/Under camps will be led by Netball Centre of Excellence Head Coach Michelle Wilkins. Wilkins spoke of the immense talent within the Netball Australia pathway this year.
“Selection of these squads wasn’t an easy process due to the depth of talent we have coming through our system. We have even seen some of our athletes within this group starring on the Suncorp Super Netball court this season,” she said.
“While it has been a challenging year, it is our priority to ensure we are constantly nurturing and developing the talent coming through the Netball Australia pathway and we look forward to bringing everyone together later in the year for our training camps.”
