Netball Australia has unveiled the 22 rising talents selected for the 2025 Australian 21U Squad, with preparations ramping up ahead of September’s Netball World Youth Cup.
The 22-athlete squad features the country’s most exciting young netballers, many demonstrating strength across the 2025 Super Netball Reserves competition, and within Suncorp Super Netball team environments.
Three Swifts athletes have been selected for the squad: Nicola Barge (QBE Swifts Academy), Freddie Schneideman (QBE Swifts Academy/Swifts) and Grace Whyte (Swifts).
Squad selection was overseen by a panel comprising Cathy Fellows, Netball Australia’s Head of Pathway Selections Michelle Wilkins, and Pathway Head Coach Anita Keelan AM. Athlete performances were assessed by drawing on data and insights from pathway camps, Super Netball Reserves, and the 2025 National Netball Championships.
From the 22 athletes selected, 19 are training partners or squad members of a 2025 Suncorp Super Netball club.
These athletes will be guided by 21U National Head Coach Cathy Fellows and supported by Netball Australia’s elite coaching and high-performance team.
Fellows said the strength and depth across the squad reflects their potential for success in September.
“This age group is delivering an incredible level of talent,” Fellows said.
“With the Netball Youth World Cup just a few months away, this squad represents our final step in narrowing down to the 12 athletes who will wear the green and gold in Gibraltar. The competition for spots will be fierce, and that’s exactly what we want.
“We have a group of athletes who have shown they have the drive, skills, and mindset to compete at the international level.”
A final team of 12 athletes and 3 reserves will be named closer to the Netball Youth World cup, following continued performance monitoring and preparation.
The Netball World Youth Cup is held every four years and showcases the best 21/U talent from around the globe. 20 teams will compete in the event, taking place from Friday, 19 September 2025 across ten days. Australia will be aiming to reclaim the title when the tournament gets underway in Gibraltar this September.
2025 Australian 21U Squad Athletes:
|
First name
|
Surname
|
Club
|
|
Nicola
|
Barge
|
QBE Swifts Academy
|
|
Sophie
|
Casey
|
Adelaide Thunderbirds
|
|
Jada
|
Delaney
|
Sunshine Coast Lightning Bolts
|
|
Sasha-May
|
Flegler
|
Queensland Firebirds Futures
|
|
Kayla
|
Graham
|
Adelaide Thunderbirds
|
|
Lily
|
Graham
|
Melbourne Vixens
|
|
Jasmah
|
Haywood
|
West Coast Fever Reserves
|
|
Scarlet
|
Jauncey
|
West Coast Fever Reserves
|
|
Jemma
|
Kelly
|
Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures
|
|
Monika
|
‘Otai
|
GIANTS Netball Reserves
|
|
Tabitha
|
Packer
|
Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures
|
|
Lillyana
|
Rennie
|
Queensland Firebirds Futures
|
|
Elsa Sif
|
Sandholt
|
Queensland Firebirds Futures
|
|
Frederika
|
Schneideman
|
QBE Swifts Academy/Swifts
|
|
Charlotte
|
Sexton
|
Vixens Academy
|
|
Ruby
|
Shannon
|
Vixens Academy
|
|
Lucy
|
Voyvodic
|
Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures
|
|
Charlotte
|
Walker
|
Adelaide Thunderbirds Futures
|
|
Tara
|
Watson
|
Melbourne Vixens
|
|
Hope
|
White
|
GIANTS Netball
|
|
Grace
|
Whyte
|
NSW Swifts
|
|
Olivia
|
Wilkinson
|
West Coast Fever
|
