Netball NSW has today announced its 2026 19U State Team, featuring a dynamic mix of returning champions, rising stars and promising debutants ready to represent New South Wales at next year’s National Netball Championships.
The 12-netball athlete squad includes five players from the gold medal-winning 2025 Netball NSW 19U Team, alongside four members of the silver medal-winning 2025 Netball NSW 17U Team, demonstrating the strength and depth of the state’s elite development pathway.
2025 QBE Swifts Academy athlete Sophia Martinussen has made the grade alongside three regional netball athletes – Isla Waterhouse (Illawarra), Marley Aplin (Orange) and Matilda Percival (Newcastle).
The team will once again be led by Head Coach Amber Cross, who guided NSW to 19U gold at the 2024 National Netball Championships.
“We're really excited about the netball athletes that have been selected to take on the National Netball Championships in 2026,” said Mardi Aplin, General Manager of Pathways at Netball NSW.
“They're an amazing group of versatile athletes that bring different strengths to the team and can cross many netball positions. It’s a really good mix of younger and top-age athletes — the future is looking good.”
The 19U State Team will assemble at the Netball NSW State Camp in mid-December, where they’ll complete fitness testing, strength assessments and team-bonding activities, alongside a media day and sessions designed to build pride in the Waratah.
Each athlete will receive a personalised home training program to follow over the Christmas break before regrouping on 16 January for 12 weeks of training in the lead-up to the 2026 National Netball Championships.
In addition to State Team commitments, athletes will continue to train and compete with their respective Netball NSW Premier League teams.
