GILBERT NETBALL NEWS
Fresh Faces in Australian Netball Team
Wed 3 September 2008
Media Release - Fresh faces in Australian Netball Team
Rewarded for dazzling ANZ Championship seasons and outstanding performance throughout the national camp program, Kate Beveridge, Kimberlee Green and Laura Geitz have earned their Australian Player badge following the announcement of the 2008 Australian Netball Team.
Having previously been called up for national duties as a replacement player, Rebecca Bulley was also formally announced for the first time as a member of the Australian Netball Team.
The Australian Netball Team announced by Chief Executive Kate Palmer at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), will play New Zealand and England during the Holden Netball Test Series in Australia and the New World International Netball Series in New Zealand.
Heading into their first international campaign following the World Championships, Australian coach Norma Plummer and national selectors Carole Sykes and Susan Kenny, believe they have a flexible and versatile team to cover all positions and combinations on court.
"We see this as a development year and we are preparing for the next four by working with the young players and giving them opportunities," Plummer explained.
"The selection of this team has been based on youth as we look towards the future of Australian netball.
"In this team, we have six players who were involved the 2005 World Youth Cup, so the penetration of the 21/U group is really starting to show. Eight of twelve team members are also graduates of the AIS netball program. "
The Australian team will depart for New Zealand on Sunday September 14 and will joined on tour by the Australian 21/U team.
The Australian 21/U team will play a curtain raiser match before the national teams on 17 September, with a second 21/U Test match scheduled on 19 September also in Christchurch.
The 2008 Australian Netball Team
Kate Beveridge (WA)
Rebecca Bulley (VIC)
Bianca Chatfield (VIC)
Catherine Cox (NSW)
Laura Geitz (QLD)
Mo'onia Gerrard (NSW)
Kimberlee Green (NSW)
Natalie Medhurst (SA)
Lauren Nourse (QLD)
Susan Pratley (NSW)
Julie Prendergast (VIC)
Natalie von Bertouch (SA)
Norma Plummer - Coach
Margaret Molina - Manager
Susan Kenny - Assistant Coach
Kathryn Gaffney - Doctor
Sean Mungovan - Physiotherapist
Matthew Durston - Massage Therapist
Lyndell Bruce - Video Analyst
The Australian 21/U Team
Caitlin Bassett (WA)
Shae Bolton (VIC)
Kimberley Borger (NSW)
Madison Browne (VIC)
Shannon Eagland (VIC)
Andrea Gilmore (WA)
Ashlee Howard (VIC)
Jasmine Keene (WA)
Sharni Layton (VIC)
Samantha May (NSW)
Chelsea Pitman (NSW)
Laura Scherian (QLD)
Amy Steel (VIC)
Courtney Tairi (NSW)
Simone McKinnis OAM - Coach
Nicole Cusack - Specialist Coach
Donna Monteath - Manager
Bianca Scotney - Doctor
Steve Hawkins - Physiotherapist
Gamal Darwish - Massage Therapist
2008 New World International Netball Series
AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND
17 September - Westpac Arena, Christchurch
20 September - Vector Arena, Auckland
2008 Holden Netball Test Series
AUSTRALIA v. ENGLAND
4 October - Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
8 October - Distinctive Homes Dome, Adelaide
AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND
26 October - Hisense Arena, Melbourne
2 November - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
