Swifts pathway players make Aussie National squads

Netball Australia has announced 66 athletes from around the country who will form the 17/U and 19/U national squads for 2024. 

In fantastic news, two Swifts Training Partners and two QBE Swifts Academy Athletes have been selected. 

Swifts Training Partner and 19/U Series MVP Frederika Schneideman has made the cut alongside fellow TP Grace Whyte, with Academy stars Eugenie Little and Nicola Barge also included.

The athletes, representing all states and territories, will have the opportunity to elevate their netball skills across the course of the year with on court and off court education.

The successful cohort was selected based on a range of attributes, including demonstrated skill and the potential for performance growth. 

The selection announcement follows last week’s talent-filled 2024 National Netball Championships in Frankston, where hundreds of emerging athletes compete for championship titles in the 17/U and 19/U age groups. 

The squad was selected by a panel made up of Michelle Wilkins (Netball Australia Pathway Coach and Head of Talent Selection) and Anita Keelan (Netball Australia Pathway Head Coach).

“This year's 17/U and 19/U cohort displays an exciting and highly competitive brand of netball,” Michelle Wilkins said.

“The variety and potential of athletes across both age groups looks incredibly promising for the future of our sport.

“The parity between all teams is a positive reflection on how much care and intention every state and territory continue to invest into the development of our pathway athletes.”

Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich and Adelaide Thunderbirds assistant coach Cathy Fellows were also involved in the selection process throughout the week at the National Netball Championships.

“The selection process is very thorough and extremely important to Origin Australian Diamonds ongoing success,” Wilkins continued.

“Stacey Marinkovich is highly invested in our pathway athletes and was on hand over the National Netball Championships to contribute to our selection process.

“The selection panel all agree the future of the Championships and Netball Australia’s national pathway is in excellent hands with the talent being produced across the country.

“We look forward to seeing where this year’s 17/U and 19/U athletes are taken on their netball careers, and hopefully for some it includes the green and gold dress.”

Included in this year’s 17/U national squad is 2024 National Netball Championship 17/U MVP Jemma Kelly. The South Australian defender and state captain stood out in her state’s gold-medal victory.

Netball Australia will deliver training camps across July for the selected athletes as an opportunity to develop their skills and train in a high performance environment. Both camps will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Australian 19/U National Squad

Australian 17/U National Squad