The biggest name player at this week’s World Youth Netball Championship in Glasgow has withdrawn from the side with injury.
The biggest name player at this week’s World Youth Netball Championship in Glasgow has withdrawn from the side with injury.
Northern Mystics defender come midcourter Cullen will return to New Zealand this week after withdrawing from the team following Netball New Zealand (NNZ) medical advice on her injury.
She will return to New Zealand before the NZU21 World Youth Netball Championships starts later this week. Cullen’s injury will be reviewed by the NNZ specialist medical team when she arrives back in the country.
NZ U21 Squad member and EasiYo Tactix player Kirsten Hurley has been called into the team and will join the eleven remaining players in Glasgow.
Jamaica emerges as new threat
The injury opens the way for Jamaica to potentially reach the final. Jamaica is drawn to play New Zealand in the semi-final and features seven players with senior test caps.
With Cullen’s withdrawal, Australia is now head and shoulders above the rest of the competition. The more contested question might be who makes up the rest of the top six.
Jamaica appears now to be tournament or at least silver medal underdogs. The New Zealand v Jamaica semi-final may well be one of the highlights of the tournament. The Jamaican 21/under were comprehensively beaten by Australia 21/under last year, but recovered to thrash Trinidad and crush a respectable English 21/under side in a three test series in June.
The Jamaican side are yet to face the New Zealand 21/under team in lead-up matches, however, on paper the sides seem closely matched.
For the first time in decades Jamaica goes into a major world tournament without relying on a 188cm+ goal shooter. Instead this is a fast, defensive Jamaican team with rising star defenders Vangalee Williams and Shamera Sterling restoring hopes of Jamaica netball revival along with dynamo mid-courter Khadijah Williams, goal attack come wing attack Shanice Beckford and goal shooter Shantal Slater leading the way for the side.
Jamaica last reached the World Youth Championship final in 2000 when their side, featuring Simone Forbes, Althea Byfield and Kasey Evering, beat New Zealand in the semi-final before losing to Australia.
The young Ferns will, nonetheless, remain favourites to beat Jamaica in the semi-final. Te Paea Selby-Rickit is trying to broaden her game skills and with already existing height, strength and accuracy, and will be a handful at the championships, while the backline of captain Storm Purvis, Zoe Walker, Phoenix Karaka and Hurley remains the team’s strongest point.
Jamaica
Strengths: Power, aerial prowess, fast-break style play, unpredictable
Weaknesses: Long range goaling, stamina/fitness, movement in defence.
Prediction: 2nd or 3rd
Full squad: Stacy-Ann Facey, Adean Thomas, Zonasha Hinds, Shanice Beckford, Kadijah Williams, Antoinette Stone, Mellsia Wright, Simone Gordon, Shamera Sterling, Shantal Slater, Vangelee Williams and Thristina Harwood.
Coach: Oberon Pitterson-Nattie
Jamaica match schedule
23 August Jamaica v Samoa
24 August, Jamaica v Scotland
25 August, Jamaica v Cayman Islands
27 August, Jamaica v Wales
28 – 31 August
By: Luke Wilson
Photo: Yardie Sports
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