The New Zealand Olympic Committee in conjunction with Netball New Zealand are pleased to announce the New Zealand Netball team to compete at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The team of 12 is:
Casey Kopua (captain), Laura Langman (vice-captain), Jodi Brown, Leana de Bruin, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant, Ellen Halpenny, Anna Harrison, Joline Henry, Cathrine Latu, Liana Leota and Maria Tutaia.
New Zealand Accelerant Squad member/Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic shooter Ellen Halpenny is the new cap for the New Zealand team and is joined by Leota and Harrison who have been recalled into the New Zealand side. Leota last played for New Zealand in 2011 while Harrison missed the 2013 international season due to pregnancy.
New Zealand Netball coach Waimarama Taumaunu said there were some tough selection decisions but that she and the National Selectors were confident the 12 players selected provided a strong combination of youth and experience.
We are pleased to be able to name a new cap in the team, Ellen has had a very strong ANZ Championship season with the Magic, her addition to the side means we have cover for both GA and GS, Taumaunu said.
New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith said that she was delighted to welcome the players to the team for Glasgow 2014. Netball is one of the highlights of the Commonwealth Games and we know New Zealanders will be right behind the players named today, she said.
Glasgow 2014 will feature the worlds best netball teams all vying for the gold medal. The competition will be tough but we have no doubts our team will be ready for the challenge.
Ellen Halpenny, Cathrine Latu, Shannon Francois and Jodi Brown will all be attending their first Commonwealth Games for New Zealand.
Brown was named in the New Zealand team in 2006, but was forced to withdraw due to injury while Cathrine Latu has previously represented Samoa at a Commonwealth Games.
The New Zealand Netball team and management depart for Glasgow on July 14th and head to Bath in England for a week before making their way up to Scotland for the Commonwealth Games. New Zealand are the defending Commonwealth Games Champions after defeating Australia in Delhi, India four years ago.
New Zealand has won four Commonwealth Games medals since 1998, including two silver and two gold.