Nineteen South Australian netballers have been given the opportunity to further progress their netball careers after being named in the 2020 Netball Australia Centre of Excellence Squads.

SA and NSW have the highest representation of players in the Australian 21/Under Squad with eight netballers selected from each state amongst the 28-person squad.

SASI netballer and Thunderbirds Pathway Athlete Lucy Austin was among the eight SA players selected and was thrilled to receive the accolade following what’s been a difficult period throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s really exciting – particularly during a year where it been hard to stay motivated and to keep pushing,” Austin said.

“Sticking to training schedules and getting around the girls and training with them has been really important.

“SASI has given me and the girls so many opportunities to grow and become better every day – it’s the great facilities and support staff which have really helped.”

Another four SA athletes were selected in the 19/Under National Squad and seven SA athletes were selected in the 17/Under National Squad, showcasing the depth of local talent across the state.

SASI Head Netball Coach and former Australian netballer Jenny Borlase worked with all of the players extensively to prepare them for selection and was immensely proud to see such a high number of South Australian players named this year.

“To have a total of 19 South Australian athletes selected in the 2020 Netball Australia Centre of Excellence Squads is a fantastic achievement and a great reflection of their talent and dedication to the sport of netball,” Borlase said.

“The Netball SA high performance pathway programs have supported these talented athletes on their netball journey.

“SASI looks forward to continuing to deliver these athletes the best possible high performance training environment to continue to support these talented young women to pursue their dream of playing at SSN Level and ultimately for the Australian Diamonds.”

While the Netball World Youth Cup has been postponed, preparation of the Australian squad will continue to ensure ongoing technical, tactical, physical and psychological development of the group as they approach the benchmark event.

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.

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.

2020 21/U National Squad - South Australian athletes

• Nyah Allen
• Lucy Austin
• Georgie Horjus
• Georgia Dent
• Tayla Williams
• Tyler Orr
• Molly Watson
• Chelsea Blackman

2020 19/Under National Squad - South Australian athletes

• Krystal AndersonIves
• Tahlia Dnistrjanski
• Paris Sinclair
• Casey Bernhardt

2020 17/Under National Squad - South Australian athletes

• Kimberley Hearnden
• Poppy Gilfillan-Silk
• Sophie Casey
• Olivia Nicholls
• Aaleya Turner
• Amelia Anderson
• Jessie Grenvold