Five Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) scholarship holders have been named in the Australian 21/U side to take on the Kiwis in a three-game series in New Zealand next month.

Chanel Gomes, Nicola Gray, April Letton, Verity Simmons and Stephanie Wood have all been selected in a strong squad.

Gomes said the large number of AIS scholarship holders in the national side was a reflection of the Institute’s high quality netball program.

‘Whether it’s the Australian U21 squad or the senior Diamonds you will always see a high contingent of current or former AIS scholarship holders, which is testament to the program’s excellence in developing players,’ Gomes said.

‘The AIS netball program has worked more on individual training this year and I have found that approach has worked really well for me in improving my game.’

‘My goal at the start of year was to make the U21’s national team, so I am really glad I have achieved that.’

Australian 21/U coach Carol Byers says the team that will take on New Zealand contains a good mix of youth and experience.

‘We have a strong defensive unit with  Gomes (Fever),  Letton (Firebirds), Shimmin (Thunderbirds) and Wilson (Vixens) all boasting Trans Tasman experience,’ Byers said.

‘That will stand us in good stead as we look to shut down New Zealand’s attacking play.

‘The upcoming tour will give our athletes invaluable experience and exposure to the New Zealand style of play.’

Byers was appointed the Australian 21/U high performance coach last September and is aiming to deliver Australia back-to-back World Youth Netball Championships in Glasgow in 2013.

After claiming her third consecutive Australian Netball League title with Victorian Fury, Byers will lead Australia’s top underage team for the next four years.

AIS head coach Sue Gaudion has been named Australian 21/U assistant coach.

Australian 21/U team:

Shannon Eagland, VIC (AIS 2009-10)
Sarah East, WA/AIS
Chanel Gomes, QLD/AIS
Nicola Gray, NSW/AIS
April Letton, NSW (AIS 2009-10 and visiting scholarship holder 2011)
Stephanie Puopolo, VIC
Madeleine Proud, SA
Kate Shimmin, SA (AIS 2010)
Verity Simmons, NSW/AIS
Ameliaranne Wells, QLD (AIS visiting scholarship holder 2010)
Micaela Wilson, VIC
Stephanie Wood, QLD/AIS.

Coach: Carol Byers
Assistant coach: Sue Gaudion