Zali Anderson named in Netball Australia Under 21 squad

NETBALL Australia has named a 17-strong cohort of promising athletes in the 2023 Australian 21/U Squad set to hone their craft this week in Canberra.

And Wonthaggi Power’s Zali Anderson is among them.

Of course, since her Power days, Zali has gone on to play for the Boroondara Express in the Victorian Netball League and the Collingwood Magpies Academy team.

And it was while competing in one of the Collingwood club’s swansong events, the Australian Netball Championships, won by Collingwood, that she caught the eye of the Australian selectors and was named last week, in the Australian Under 21 Squad, before jetting off to the AIS in Canberra for training and trials last Thursday.

The Australian Netball Championships is one of the best pathways for athletes from around the country to hit the court to represent their state or territory and to show their stuff.

The Collingwood Magpies were crowned champions after a thrilling Grand Final win over the QBE Swifts Academy.

Netball Australia Pathway Chair of Selectors, Michelle Wilkins commended the athleticism displayed at this year’s Australian Netball Championships.

“The talent we witnessed was of high skill across all the states and territories,” Wilkins said.

“With eleven teams competing, it gave teams the opportunity to experience varied playing styles which contributed to the level of competition which grew each day the competition, culminating in a skilled and physical Grand Final.”

Ms Wilkins also commented on this year’s selected Australian Squad.

“The talent within this year’s 21/U pool demonstrates a good variety of athletes and skillsets,” she said.

The selected squad completed a four-day training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport from Thursday, September 7. A pivotal development tool, the camp provided athletes with specialist coaching, match play and off court education.

Anita Keelan, Netball Australia Pathway Head Coach and Selector, led the camp, focusing on building connections on and off the court and understanding team dynamics.

“I am very excited to work with the selected athletes in the 2023 squad,” Keelan said.

“Specialist coaching will be provided at camp in all areas of the court with a particular focus on player connections and the idea of working with and for their teammates.

“This theme will be implemented in mentoring both on and off the court as our athletes learn what creates a great team, what the individual brings to a team, what being your best version in a team looks like.”

Keelan will be joined by specialist coaches Kylee Byrne (shooting), Christine Voge (midcourt) and Cathy Fellows (defence) to continue each athlete’s individual growth and development.

Zali is one of four Victorians in the squad including:

• Zali Anderson - Collingwood Magpies (VIC)

• Emily Andrew - Victorian Fury (VIC)

• Maggie Caris - Victorian Fury (VIC)

• Zara Walters - Victorian Fury (VIC).