NETBALL - Players shape-up for their first big test

NORTHLAND netballers hoping to be unearthed as the sport's next generation of stars are preparing for their representative tournaments after squads were named after recent trials.
The Netball North age-group squads and the Whangarei Netball Centre age-group squads have been announced and teams gathered for their first training at the Whangarei Netball Centre at Kensington Park on Sunday.
The teams will continue training toward their first representative tournament at the Morrin Rd Courts in Auckland on June 8.
For the under-17 Netball North Blue team, a Northland team, selected at trials in Whangarei and Kaikohe, the pinnacle of their competition this year will be the national under-17 tournament at North Harbour from July 7 to 10.
For the under-19 and under-21 representative teams their national tournament will be held in Hamilton from July 14 to 18.
The development of these age group players is vital to the on-going success of New Zealand's netballers at the highest level and both tournaments provide the platform for developing that talent.
The national selectors take a keen interest in these tournaments which regularly tag future stars, including current Silver Ferns Laura Langman, Maria Tutaia and Casey Williams, who were part of the New Zealand under-21 team which won the 2005 World Youth Netball Championships in Florida.
The 2008 tournament will give many young players the chance to contend for the New Zealand under-21 team which will defend its world title next year in the Cook Islands.
* REP TEAMS - Netball North
Under-17 Blue (North of the Brynderwyns zone of the North Region): Lianna Bennett, Elsa Brown, Alexis Chapman, Ria Gunson, Phoebe Hepana, Renee Russell, Emma Smith, Brooke Stanaway, Morgan Taurua, Renee Wilson; non-travelling reserves, Caitlin Prendergaast, Jessie McClintock-Maihi. Coach, Madelaine Moulds; Manager, Nikola Kemp.
Under-19 Blue (North of the Brynderwyns zone of the North Region): J'Leanne Carpenter, Rose Cawley, Grace Cooper, Rowena Davis-Cooper, Victoria Davis-Dodds, Samara Foster, Rhiannon Reti, Monique Satele, Puawai Shortland, Trudy Williams; non-travelling reserve, Rangimarie Hona-Renata. Coach, Colleen Glass; Manager, Janne Isaacs.
Under 19 Maroon (South (South of the Brynderwyns) zone of the North Region ): Kaitlin Hogg, Sally Greenwood, Courtney Mita, Kirsten Montgomery, Jenna Murie, Akusitina Ongoongo, Maryke Penman, Claire Philipsen, Katie Putt, Alice Row, Tammy Sinko, Rose Twaddle. Coach, Lyn Barr; Manager, Jo Yates.
Under 21 Maroon (from the overall North Region): Annalise Battaerd, Emmeline Croft, Amy Dodds, Charlene Halapua, Emma Iversen, Jaime Kapa, Jess McPherson, Wendy Prestwell, Finau Pulu, Lyttera Sosoli, Emma Winter. Coach, Karen Wilson; Manager, Joy McGrath.
Whangarei
Year 7s: Alex Woods, Hanna Tukaki, Huahine Kanter, Katelyn Donovan, Katie Biddle, Kaya Davis-Martin, Kyla Moore, Ngaireani Mehana, Sharleece Ross-Hill, Vicki Te Waiti; non-travelling reserves, Julieze Waddell, Kristy Jenkins. Coach, Elaine Ross; Manager, Yvette Biddle.
Year 8s: Dana Antunovich, Hani Niha, Harono Te Iringa, Jacinta Matson, Jade Telfer, Kaya Niha, Leopoldine Powell, Maggie Naera, Narissa Rati, Ngahuia Nathan-Panapa; non-travelling reserves, Desire Toby Meri Kingi. Coach, Dee Telfer; Manager, Linda Matson.
Year 9s: Ashlee Crane, Celeste Edwardson, Danica Matautia, Jessica Babe, Stella Matthews, Suede Timu, Temania Te Iringa, Tyme Shepherd, Kiriti Stokes, Manawarangi Stokes; non-travelling reserves, Libby Tohu, Toni Negus. Coach, Mo Matautia; Manager, Delwyn Baird.
Under 15s: Alisha Leef, Cherith Schraag, Christie Beard, Hayley Taylor, Kelsey Power, Natasha Callister, Paane Thomas, Rachelle Cox, Renee McDougall, Rose Baker, Shannon French, Wairere Leef; two non-travelling reserves to be named). Coach, Ravena Otene.