Netball Australia has announced the 62 athletes that will form the 17/Under and 19/Under National squads for 2022/23 with 11 Victorians named. The selection follows last week’s National Netball Championships in Hobart.
Lily Graham, Mikaela Minns, Eliza Molino, Charlotte Morey, Mia van Wyk, Tara Watson, Emma Winfield will represent the 17/Under side while Emily Andrew, Charli Nicol, Zara Walters, and Olivia Wilkinson, will make up the 19/Under side along with their fellow national squad members.
Squad selector Michelle Wilkins is thrilled by the level of talent displayed at the Championships and is looking forward to what the selected players can bring to the 17/Under and 19/Under national squads.
“This competition is critical for the selection of our pathway talent and the ensuring of the Origin Australian Diamonds’ future success, and there is certainly a future Diamond listed within this year’s underage national squads.”
“The quality and standard of performance was exceptional and, as importantly, the competitiveness, passion and sense of fair play was testament to the strength of our sport,” she said.
General Manager – Vixens, Performance and Pathways, Rebekah Webster is pleased with the Victorian representation across both national squads.
“I’m incredibly proud to see so many Victorian athletes recognised and included in the 2022/23 Australian squads. It’s a great reflection of the pathway program in Victoria and the way we help foster the development of our up-and-coming netballers.”
“After being so heavily impacted by the ongoing COVID pandemic and missing almost two years of netball it’s excellent to see our Victorian athletes reap the rewards of their hard work and commitment,” Webster said.
Out of the 26 selected 19/Under athletes, nine are involved with Suncorp Super Netball Clubs including Melbourne Vixens squad member - Emily Andrew. The talented goaler will make her consecutive return to the 19/Under national squad, alongside Victorian teammate, and state squad captain Zara Walters.
For Tara Watson 2022 will mark her second year being named as part of the 17/Under squad. Charli Nicol and Olivia Wilkinson 2022 will make the jump to the 19/Under squad after being named in last year’s 17/Under national squad.
Six athletes including Graham, Minns, Molino, Morey, van Wyk and Winfield will make their debut to the national side after being named in this year’s Australian teams.
The newly named squads will take part in training camps delivered by Netball Australia later this year, as an opportunity to develop their on and off court skills and provide elite match day exposure.
Our Victorians listed below
17/Under
Lily Graham (Waverly District Netball Association)
Mikaela Minns (Altona Netball Association)
Eliza Molino (AFL Outer East)
Charlotte Morey (Parkville Netball Competitions)
Mia Van Wyk (Whitehorse Netball Association)
Tara Watson (Whittlesea & District Netball Association)
Emma Winfield (St Albans & Caroline Springs Netball Association)
19/Under
Emily Andrew (Wilson Storage Southern Saints)
Charli Nicol (City West Falcons)
Zara Walters (Geelong Cougars)
Olivia Wilkinson (Peninsula Waves)
