Five NSW Athletes Named in 2025 Australian 21/U Squad

Netball NSW is proud to celebrate the selection of five of its talented athletes in the 2025 Australian 21/U Squad, announced today by Netball Australia. The 22-strong squad will form the final preparation phase for this year’s Netball World Youth Cup, to be held in Gibraltar in September.

Congratulations to Nicola Barge (NSW Swifts Training Partner), Monika ‘Otai (GIANTS Netball), Frederika Schneideman (NSW Swifts Training Partner), Hope White (GIANTS Netball), and Grace Whyte (NSW Swifts) on their well-deserved selection.

The 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.

Squad selection was overseen by a panel comprising Cathy Fellows, Netball Australia’s Head of Pathway Selections Michelle Wilkins, and Pathway Head Coach Anita Keelan AM. 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/U National 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,” Fellows 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, following continued performance monitoring and preparation.

The Netball World Youth Cup is held every four years and showcases the best 21/U talent from around the globe. 20 teams will compete in the event, taking place from Friday, 19 September 2025 across ten days. Australia will be aiming to reclaim the title when the tournament gets underway in Gibraltar this September.

2025 Australian 21/U Squad Athletes: