Western Warriors’ Ruby Shannon and Whittlesea’s Tara Watson have been named in the Australian 21 and under squad ahead of preparations for the Netball World Youth Cup in September.
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.
Shannon has been part of the 21 and under Australian team the past 12 months, while becoming a Melbourne Vixens training partner this year.
Watson is in the squad for the first time, having been part of the Australian under-19 squad last year.
The Melbourne Vixens 11th player, she has been in the Vixens match day squad with Hannah Mundy out with injury.
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 21 and under 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,” she 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.
