Five new players added to Australian squad

A major shake up has occurred with the Australian netball squad prior to the final 12 players being selected to wear the green and gold at next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Five new players have been added to the squad by coach Norma Plummer and the selectors after performing well at the most recent training camp in Canberra at the AIS.

Kate Beveridge, Susan Pratley, Susan Fuhrmann and Janine Ilitch have all been included, while Laura von Bertouch joins her sister Natalie in the squad.

Of these five players, only Ilitch has international experience at the senior level and returns to the squad after spending several months away from the game for the birth of her second child in September.

Commenting on the addition of new players to the squad, Australian coach Plummer is confident with the squad, commenting that the skill and ability impressed her most at last week’s training camp.

“I am extremely confident with this squad and the breadth of talent and ability within it,” Plummer told the Netball Australia website.

“I believe the combination of experienced campaigners and new talent will give us the necessary tools to win Gold come March 2006.”

Pratley comes into the squad, having already been viewed as potential leadership material in the future at open international level after being Australian vice captain to Melbourne Phoenix defender Julie Prendergast at this year’s World Youth Championships.

Fuhrmann, who played for the AIS Canberra Darters in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy this year has been selected on the proviso that she can fully overcome the effects of a full knee reconstruction, which was required after injuring her knee during a 21 and under international game against Jamaica earlier this year.

Ilitch has been attending regular individual training sessions at the AIS since giving birth, with a view to being selected to represent her country again and all the work she has done to improve her fitness after giving birth has been rewarded with selection.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds have had a long standing reputation of being able to produce and nurture quality mid court players and Laura von Bertouch is an example of this which have seen her forming one of the most lethal mid court duos in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy.

Her selection in this squad with her sister is a true testament to both of them, as they have long been considered among the top midcourt combinations in Australian netball and also widely regarded by judges of netball talent.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SQUAD OF 15

Natalie Avellino (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
*Kate Beveridge (AIS Canberra Darters)
Alison Broadbent (Sydney Swifts)
Bianca Chatfield (Melbourne Phoenix)
Catherine Cox (Sydney Swifts)
*Susan Fuhrmann (AIS Canberra Darters) - subject to fitness
Selina Gilsenan (Sydney Swifts)
*Janine Ilitch (2004 Melbourne Kestrels)
Sharelle McMahon (Melbourne Phoenix)
*Susan Pratley (AIS Canberra Darters)
Jessica Shynn (Perth Orioles)
Eloise Southby-Halbish (Melbourne Phoenix)
Rebecca Strachan (Melbourne Kestrels)
*Laura von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Natalie von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
(* indicates new member included in squad)

Australian Captain Liz Ellis and defender Mo’onia Gerrard were ruled out of contention by medical staff due to recent knee injuries.

Important Dates
9-13 January 2006 - Australian Open Squad (15) Training Camp, Melbourne
23-27 January 2006 - Australian Open Squad (15) Training Camp, Canberra
6-10 February 2006 - Australian Open Squad (15) Selection Camp, Canberra
10 February 2006 – Australian Commonwealth Games Association Team (12) Announcement, AIS.

Related Article:

Australian training camp this week (Fri Dec 16)

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