Netball seeks aspirants for world championship

JUNIOR netball players vying for selection in the national side for the 2017 World Youth championship in Botswana have until September to stake their claim for  spots.
The youngsters between the ages of 15-10 have between now then to convince selectors they are cut out for such high level competition.
However, they must participate at the national titles in Kimbe to gain selection and benefit from various programmes Papua New Guinea Netball has designed  before a final team is named for the World championships.
The national titles will coincide with the Term Three school break.
The identification of these young players is part of the PNG Netball Junior Development programme.
PNG Netball president Julienne Leka-Maliaki is now challenging affiliates to pencil in Kimbe as a priority to expose their young players.
She said with all the New Guinea Islands and Momase provinces expected to participate, PNG Netball anticipates a much better depth in quality players to draw from.
“Our aim is the identification of potential young players for the 2017 World Youth championships in Botswana, please bring your junior players to Kimbe,” Leka-Maliaki said.
She said by the 2015 Pacific Games and beyond, PNG Netball hoped to have a fair representation of players from all the regions and assembling the junior train-on squad for the Botswana Games was a step in that direction.
Manus was the last NGI province which hosted the national titles in 2009.
Leka-Maliaki said with West New Britain hosting, PNG Netball is expecting a wider participation from all 15 affiliates.
The passion and determination displayed during the 2009 championships proves that Manus, New Ireland, East New Britain, Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Kimbe are expected to give the competition a significant lift.
The West New Britain Provincial government  has indicated its support to host the annual event.