Congratulations to six Welsh players who received their first Wales under 21 caps during the Netball Europe Youth Championship earlier this month.
Chloe Dyke, Bethan Johnson, Miquie Walker-Jones, Bethan Moore, Leila Thomas and Eve Wright had all taken to the court to play Scotland, England and Northern Ireland’s U21 teams.
Former Wales Under 17 Captain, Chloe Dyke said:
“I’m absolutely ecstatic to have got my first U21 cap. I learnt so much and it was a privilege to have worked with such an amazing team and management group.”
“I am very happy to have received my first cap for Wales U21,” says fellow centre-court team mate Bethan Johnson from Bridgend. “I’m excited for the future.”
Llandarcy College student Miquie Walker-Jones from Port Talbot stepped on to court in a Welsh U21 dress for the very first time. Miquie played defence alongside team mate Leila Thomas of Blaenavon.
Leila described her first Wales U21 experience as “amazing”. Leila feels that the team “will only get stronger and stronger from here”.
Nineteen year old Bethan Moore from Pontypridd also made her Wales U21 debut this year. Bethan is studying Sport Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, and plays mostly at centre court.
“I’m ecstatic and honoured to have gained my first cap for Wales,” says Bethan, “and I hope I did my country proud.”
Last but not least, 6’4 goal shooter Eve Wright was looking forward to making a good first impression during Netball Europe, and she certainly relished in the experience.
“What an experience, onwards and upwards from here,” says Eve, who is studying Sport Development and Coaching at Gloucestershire University.
“I loved every second on the court with these girls whilst making my debut – I couldn’t stop smiling.”
It was a competitive and exciting weekend of netball. Wales Netball were proud to host the World Youth Cup qualifying matches for the first time.
Wales finished in third place at the Championships, and secured qualification for the next World Youth Cup in Botswana, July 2017.
Wales Netball CEO Sarah Jones is very proud of Wales’ hard work during the tournament:
“Congratulations to the six who made their Wales U21 debut, we all felt great pride watching you play. The whole Wales Netball family is looking forward to next year’s World Youth Cup.”
On Thursday 20 October, the draw was made to discover the pools for the World Youth Cup 2017. Wales have been drawn into Pool D, and will therefore face England, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.