Australia’s FAST5 netball team has today been announced for the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, and QBE Swifts Academy athlete Nicola Barge has been selected.
Following the recent National Netball Championships, the 10-strong contingent will don the green and gold as the sport joins the program for the first-time.
Netball Australia’s 19U squad members Georgie Cleaver, Monika ‘Otai, Tabitha Packer and Lucy Voyvodic have been selected in the FAST5 netball team, with West Australian goaler Cleaver confirming she is incredibly excited to represent Australia on the world stage.
“I can’t wait to play for Australia’s FAST5 netball team with an incredible group of emerging athletes from across the country. My teammates and I will wear the green and gold with immense pride,” Cleaver said.
“This is an exciting development opportunity to gain exposure to international competition and experience a multi-sport environment, while creating memories and progressing as an athlete.”
Packer and Voyvodic were both part of the South Australian team that recently claimed the 19U National Netball Championship.
Swifts pathway hopeful Barge, Jada Delaney, Sasha-May Flegler, Gemma Hutchings, Mia Lavis and Clara Wigley, who were all recently named to the Netball Australia’s 17U squad, round out the selection.
The trio of Delaney, Fleger and Hutchings were part of the Queensland team that delivered the 17/U National Netball Championship.
Netball Australia’s Pathway Head Coach, and former Swifts Assistant, Anita Keelan congratulated the selected athletes.
“It is always an honour to represent your country and even more exciting to see our next generation of netballers play at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games,” Keelan said.
“It will be great to see firsthand the growth that these athletes will experience by being a part of the Australian team.”
Swifts Academy physio Kandice Goodwin has also been named as part of the Australian support team.
Hosts Trinidad and Tobago, along with Australia, England, South Africa, Botswana, Canada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Scotland will all take to the court at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex from 8-10 August.
FULL TEAM
- Nicola Barge (NSW/QBE Swifts Academy)
- Georgie Cleaver (WA)
- Jada Delaney (QLD)
- Sasha-May Flegler (QLD)
- Gemma Hutchings (QLD)
- Mia Lavis (VIC)
- Monika ‘Otai (NSW)
- Tabitha Packer (SA)
- Lucy Voyvodic (SA)
- Clara Wigley (WA)
Team officials
- Elissa Kent (Head Coach)
- Anita Keelan (Assistant Coach/Team Manager)
- Kandice Goodwin (Physiotherapist)
