Scarlet Jauncey and Jasmah Haywood have been selected from the best young netballers in the country to compete in the pinnacle event for athletes under 21.
The are joined by Fever shooter and Victorian pathway product Olivia Wilkinson.
Jauncey and Wilkinson have also been selected as vice-captains of the side.
The competition will see 240 athletes from 20 teams and five regions play off against each other during the nine-day tournament.
In the goal circle, Australia is lucky to have Haywood, who is known for her ability to shoot for high volume under pressure.
Haywood was an instrumental element of both the Fever Reserves inaugural premiership and her Gold Industry Group WA Netball League squad, the Comets, Grand Final win.
Haywood said despite some intense training, representing her country still doesn’t feel real.
“We have been training for the last six weeks prepping for camp and the tournament and it just feels surreal that we begin so soon,” she said.
“I’m feeling really grateful for the opportunity and just soaking in everything, I can’t wait to be competing in Gibraltar with the girls and having fun.’
The last tournament was in 2017, with COVID-19 restrictions cancelling what would have been in 2021.
New Zealand have come away victorious in the last two tournaments, sitting even with Australia’s four wins in the competition’s history.
In defence, Scarlet Jauncey will be bringing her natural experience and leadership to the side.
Jauncey was also a crucial member of Fever’s Reserves premiership team, captain of the First Nations team the Black Swans and co-captain of her GIG WANL side the West Coast Warriors.
Despite New Zealand winning the last tournament, Jauncey said she’s confident in her side which is made up of many Suncorp Super Netball and Reserves athletes.
“We know we just have to get back up there and win,” she said.
Australia will compete in Pool B, with their first match against Northern Ireland on Saturday. You can view the full schedule here.
The Netball World Youth Cup commences on Friday and is available to watch free, live and on demand, on NetballPass and the Netball World Cup (NWC) YouTube channel.
