U21s play trials to pick final side

THE second national netball Under-21 selection trials were held from July 7-8 at the Rita Flynn Indoor Courts, Port Moresby.
Participants in the trials included members of the current train-on squad, high performing players identified at the national junior championships (July 4-6)and selected overseas-based Papua New Guineans, who are actively engaged in competitive netball internationally.
As expected the squad is dominated by Port Moresby Netball Association (POMNA) players given their strong showing at the recently concluded national junior championships.
Notable additions in the squad include shooter Japerth Tulapi and defenders Serena Ovia and Courtney Abel, all of whom have already played for the senior national team, the Pepes.
According to Netball PNG’s high performance coordinator Mona-Lisa Leka, the two-day trials saw the training squad running various drills, skill tests and assessment programmes which were facilitated by Pepes coach oUnaisi Rokoura.
The final 20-member training squad was compiled by head of selectors Pole Kassman and members of the national selection panel.
The squad will be trimmed down to the final 15 to prepare for  a series of invitational friendly matches against the Singapore U21s July 21-24 in Port Moresby.
The final 12-member team will be selected in a camp next month to participate at the Regional World Cup qualifying tournament in Auckland, New Zealand from September 24-27.
The top three countries at the September qualifiers will represent the Oceania region at the 2017 World Youth Cup in Botswana.
U21 squad: Shooters – Boio Peter, JaperthTulapi, Naoley Mahuta, Ravusiro Vali, Naomi Lankan, Rowena Djengozov, Martha Matuka; Midcourt – Eloise Vele,  Catherine Benedict, Ericka Amos, Carol Kanapoti, Vele Walo, Michelle Mark, Nona Gamoga; Defenders – Courtney Abel, Edna Pala, Asi Kevau, Thai Peter, Serena Ovia, Genevieve Ume.