Netball: Defender back three years after quitting

Anna Scarlett is back in netball after a couple of years playing beach volleyball. Photo / Getty Images

A couple of familiar faces are missing from the 17-strong New Zealand netball squad named today, but coach Ruth Aitken has also regained some welcome experience.

Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic goal attack Jodi Brown and Pulse goal shoot Paula Griffin are both missing, having opted out of the Silver Ferns as they prepare to defend their Commonwealth Games title in New Delhi, India, in October.

Brown, 29, has decided to focus on 19-month-old daughter Kiana, although she is still keen to continue her Silver Ferns career, with next year's world championship in Singapore a tempting prospect.

Brown played for New Zealand from 2002-2007 before the birth of her daughter in 2008 curtailed her international career.

Griffin, who turned 22 on Sunday, has been in the Silver Ferns squad since she was 18, but has decided to take a break from the sport.

Northern Mystics defender Larrissa Willcox, a newcomer to the Silver Ferns last year, has missed out on the squad.

On the plus side, former defender Anna Scarlett has returned to the Silver Ferns fold after three years on the international beach volleyball circuit.

Scarlett quit netball when she missed out on the New Zealand team to contest the 2007 world championship in Auckland.

The squad will attend a selection camp in Auckland on July 26-28 before Aitken names a 12-strong team for internationals against Australia, Jamaica and Samoa next month.

The squad named today include a couple of players who will not be in contention for a spot in those 12.

Goal shoot Cathrine Latu, in superb form for Northern Mystics this season in the trans-Tasman league, has again been named to trial, but is not available for the Silver Ferns until August next year, after playing for Samoa in the 2007 world championship.

As well, Pulse midcourter Millies Lees will also trial, but is not available for New Zealand until November when she has finished her studies.

The Silver Ferns programme starts on August 7 against Samoa in Porirua, north of Wellington, then takes in tests against Jamaica in Christchurch and Napier.

They travel to Adelaide on August 29 for the first of three tests against Australia, with others following in Wellington and Auckland in early September.

Silver Ferns squad:

Liana Barrett-Chase (Southern Steel), Leana de Bruin (Southern Steel), Temepara George (Northern Mystics), Katrina Grant (Central Pulse), Joline Henry (Northern Mystics), Charlotte Kight (Canterbury Tactix), Laura Langman (Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic), Cathrine Latu (Northern Mystics), Grace Rasmussen (Northern Mystics), Anna Scarlett (Auckland-Waitakere), Anna Thompson (Canterbury Tactix), Maria Tutaia (Northern Mystics), Irene van Dyk (Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic), Casey Williams (Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic), Daneka Wipiiti (Southern Steel).

Camilla Lees (Central Pulse) is unavailable until November due to medical studies while Wendy Frew (Southern Steel) is unavailable for the trials due to shoulder surgery.

- NZPA