2011 21/U National Netball Championships
13-17 July 2011
Waverley Netball Centre, Victoria

2011 21/U National Netball Championships Fixture/Results

NSW 21/U Team claims fourth straight national crown

The New South Wales 21/U State Team defeated Victoria, 48-35, in the decider to claim a fourth consecutive National title at the 2011 21/U National Netball Championships at the Waverley Netball Centre in Victoria.

NSW Coach Maria Lynch was pleased the team was able to overcome the home crowd and take the crown.

“To win any Grand Final is pretty special, but to take it away from Victoria and still finish being 13 goals up it was great. All the girls performed really well to get that score-line for us. It’s awesome,” Lynch said.

It was a tight contest in the opening minutes before NSW started to hit their straps and escaped to a 13-8 lead at the first break.

VIC made a couple of changes to their lineup for the second quarter but with the NSW midcourt defence picking up a lot of turnover ball, the defending champions were able to consolidate their lead and take a 26-17 advantage into the main break.

It was goal for goal in the third quarter as NSW adjusted their game to combat the VIC substitutions; NSW leading 36-27 at the final break.

NSW were able to finish strongly in the final quarter, extending their lead to 13 goals to seize the title.

NSW Captain April Letton was named the 2011 San Remo Most Valuable Player, another strong showing from the defender who was named co-MVP at the 2010 event.

The NSW dominance of the event was evident in the makeup of the 2011 21/U Championship Team, with a seven-player team named to honour the outstanding individual performances at the tournament including four NSW athletes – Letton, shooter Amy Sommerville and midcourters Verity Simmons and Paige Hadley.

Game Statistics

2011 21/U National Netball Championships supported by the Australian Government’s Illicit Drugs in Sport Education Program Final Standings:
1 New South Wales
2 Victoria
3 South Australia
4 Queensland
5 Western Australia
6 ACT

2011 San Remo Most Valuable Player - April Letton (New South Wales)

2011 21/U Championship Team
Selectors named a seven player team to honour the outstanding individual performances at the 2011 21/U National Championships. An Australian 21/U Squad will be selected following the Australian Netball League.

Shooters:
Sarah East (WA)
Amy Sommerville (NSW)
Centre Court:
Kelsey Browne (VIC)
Verity Simmons (NSW)
Paige Hadley (NSW)
Defenders:
April Letton (NSW)
Kate Shimmin (SA)

NSW 21/U Match Schedule

Wednesday 13 July
Round 1 NSW 49 def WA 42 [Game Report]
Round 2 NSW 52 def by QLD 56 [Game Report]

Thursday 14 July
Round 3 NSW 40 def SA 35 [Game Report]

Friday 15 July
Round 5 NSW 46 def VIC 31 [Game Report]
Round 6 NSW 52 def ACT 29 [Game Report]

Saturday 16 July
Semi Final NSW 56 def QLD 38 [Game Report]

Sunday 17 July
Grand Final NSW 48 def VIC 35 [Game Report] 

Latest News:
NSW 21/U Team claims fourth straight National crown
NSW cruises into 21/U National Grand Final
NSW advance to 21/U National Finals as top seed
NSW 21/U National campaign gathers momentum
NSW halts SA's run at 21/U Nationals
NSW 21/U Team fight back for first win at Nationals
NSW 21/U Team Captains announced
NSW 21s focus their attentions on Nationals
2011 NSW 21/U State Team named
NSW ANL and 21/U support staff announced

2011 NSW 21/U State Team (Click here for full roster and player profiles)

Nicola Gray                       Manly Warringah
Paige Hadley                     Penrith
April Letton                       St George
Abbey McCulloch             Eastwood Ryde
Alix McDermott                Penrith
Samantha Poolman         Newcastle
Verity Simmons                Grafton
Gabi Simpson                    Baulkham Hills
Amy Sommerville            Eastwood Ryde
Megan Styles                  Penrith
Melissa Tallent                 Sutherland
Kathryn Thew                   Baulkham Hills

Head Coach                   Maria Lynch
Assistant Coach             Jenny O’Keeffe
Manager                        Maureen Stephenson
Physiotherapist              Brett Doring
Massage Therapist        Jacinta Brown