Under 21 National Netball Championships

ACT Netball Centre hosted the under 21s National Championships from March 12-17^th where players competed from each state and territory for a place on the u21s Australian squad.

ACT has performed well throughout the week, finishing 5^th after an upset win over QLD coming back from 11 down beating them by 6.

Sarah Cooper, u21s ACT Netball player for the past 2 years said that this was a significant overturn by ACT.

“NSW, SA, VIC and QLD are the big four [competitors] in the competition this year, this is a pretty big upset”, Ms Cooper said.

ACT’s under 21s National Coach, Melinda Clarke commended her team on her sides performance throughout the week.

“Three wins saw us equal our best ever effort in an under 21s National Championships”, Ms Clarke said.

ACT also defeated the Northern Territory by 27 points and only lost by 11 against the defending champions for the past five years, NSW.

The promising performance of ACT players gave them the prime opportunity to showcase their skills throughout the week for the selection panel from the Australian u/21s

squad that scouted each game.

Sarah Cooper said the goal for majority of the players in the ACT team is to be selected in the Australian squad.

“Most of them have AIS scholarships and they are looking to be selected”, said Miss Cooper.

ACT’s under 21s National Coach, Melinda Clarke believed one ACT player in particular may make this year’s Australian squad.

“Keely Rodrigo was a member of the u21s Australian squad last year and has also played in the Australian 19s team, so she will be aiming for selection following these championships”, says Ms Clarke.

The Australian u21s team was announced after the Under 17s National Championships in Darwin early this month, unfortunately no ACT players were named in the squad.