Netball Australia National selectors have confirmed the 2017 Australian underage squads, who will participate in the high performance pathway camps to be held later this year. IAS Graduate and 2016 Netball of the Year Winner, Maddy Eaton has been named in the under 17’s National Squad for the second year running. After her selection last year as a bottom age athlete Maddy has gone from strength to strength and repaid selectors for their faith shown by giving her the opportunity last year. Maddy was an integral part of the NSW side who competed in the National Championship in April which saw them finish 5th. Five NSW representatives were included in 36 athlete squad, with all three camps being held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. Netball Australia’s General Manager – High Performance Pathway, Stacey West described the camps as an athlete’s opportunity to develop and progress into the elite pathway of netball in Australia. “Whether it’s their first experience in the national pathway or they’ve been in the system a while, these athletes will benefit from specialised coaching to further develop their position-specific skills,” said West. “The 17/U camp focusses on their development of their playing position, developing their skill set in the attack and defence units, then translating this new knowledge into match-play. Whereas, the 19/U and Talls’ camp extends the athletes’ knowledge and application in specialised skill, stretching and challenging the players to start thinking a bit differently.” For the first time, a New Zealand representative side will join the 17/U camp, exposing the athletes to international competition. “We’re really looking forward to having the New Zealand representative side join us in Canberra. The ability to analyse opposition and put strategies in play is a huge component of the camp, and exposing the athletes to this at an international level will be incredibly beneficial.” said West. 2017 Australian 17/U Squad Nyah ALLEN (SA) Sunday ARYANG (WA) Lucy AUSTIN (SA) Charlie BELL (QLD) Chelsea BLACKMAN (SA) Eliza BURTON (ACT) Sloan BURTON (WA) Gabrielle COFFEY (NT) Olivia COLEMAN (NSW) Georgia DENT (SA) Lucinda DRINAN (NSW) Sophie DWYER (NSW) Sarah EARL (QLD) Maddy EATON (NSW) Jasmine FRASER (ACT) Macy GARDNER (QLD) Freya LANGSTON (VIC) Eleanor LEYDIN (VIC) Hayley MASON (ACT) Sacha McDONALD (VIC) Hayley McDONALD (VIC) Leesa MI MI (QLD)
