Port Moresby (The National) – THE national selectors announced a train-on squad for the Papua New Guinea Under-21 netball team to compete at the Oceania qualifiers.
The qualifiers are in September in New Zealand for the World Youth Cup hosted by Botswana from July 8-16, next year.
The players, who were selected from the national junior championships, will undergo training and assessment facilitated by Pepes coach Unaisi Rokoura.
The assessment started yesterday and ends today at the Rita Flynn Netball courts.
Netball PNG president Julienne Leka-Maliaki speaking at the conclusion of the championships also announced that the U21 Singapore national team would play the PNG U21 side in preparation for the regional qualifiers.
“The squad will go into intensive training for the next two days. On the final day we will pick a final squad of 20 players,” Leka-Maliaki said.
“Later this month the Singapore U21 team will visit Port Moresby to play our U21 National Team.
“The next two days are going to be very important for us as we work towards preparing a strong U21 team for the world cup qualifiers in New Zealand at the end of September.
“There have been some great displays of athleticism and talent that we have seen during the national junior championships and the Netball PNG board is committed to ensuring that we send a strong team to New Zealand for the qualifiers,” Leka-Maliaki said
She told the players that were selected not to take their positions in the squad for granted adding that competition for places would be tough – as it should be.
PNG U21 train-on squad: Shooters – Boio Peter, Rowena Djengozov, Japerth Tulapi, Naolyn Mahuta, Catharine Benedict, Martha Matuka, Marie Louise Marcus, Janet Miro, Violet Laka, Naomi Langkan, Radvusiro Vali; Mid-court – Aisha Roberts, Michelle Mark, Erica Amos, Fidelma Bob, Atalia Kila, Esther Gigimat, Eloise Vele, Rigolo Kwara, Nona Gamoga, Chantella Augwi, Genevieve Ume; Defenders – Edna Pala, Karolyn Kanapoti, Tai Peter, Vele Walo, Shanaz Apelis, Vagi Kila, Asi Kevau, Maryanne Aida Patterson.
