Wales’ international under 21 netball team have arrived at their final destination at Gaborone, Botswana ready to take on the world at the Netball World Youth Cup 2017 [NWYC2017].
After months of preparation on and off the court, the Welsh athletes and their management team will be looking to give their best possible performance on the international stage, starting this weekend.
Wales U21 Head Coach Natalie Peperell said the mood at their pre-departure camp was very positive.
“The atmosphere within the Wales camp is fizzing with energy and determination,” said Peperell.
“The girls have worked so hard and made such gains over the past few months and they can feel it and see it.
“The weekend camp was just further proof of what we can do.”
Whilst the young Welsh side will play on the African continent, several of their Wales senior players are competing in a brand new inaugural Super Club competition in New Zealand. Names such as Suzy Drane, Bethan Dyke and Chelsea Lewis are part of the Celtic Flames team, who won their first Super Club match early Monday morning against Fijian side Marama Vou.
“We’ve been following the Celtic Flames and having seen their recent win over the Fijians in New Zealand, it’s just added to our confidence and inspired the girls that we can do the same in our group match against Fiji,” said Peperell.
Wales have been drawn into Pool D against Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada, and England. Wales will face England in their first match of the World Youth Cup on Saturday 8th July at 1pm (local time). Wales were defeated by England at the recent European Championships and are looking ahead at how their performance can be improved.
“I can’t wait for our first game and to take our game plan forward against England,” adds Peperell.
Watch Wales take on rivals England on Netball Europe’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEO-XUL-udZs-HDEFH-AcGg Follow Wales’ NWYC2017 journey via Welsh Netball’s social media channels: fb.com/welshnetballassociation or search for @welshnetball on Tiwtter and Instagram.
ENDS
Editor’s Notes:
Wales U21 squad:
Chloe James [C]
Rebecca Baker
Fern Davies
Isabelle Dunsford
Chloe Dyke
Celyn Emanuel
Georgia Jenkins
Bethan Johnson
Sarah Llewelyn
Megan Powell
Leila Thomas
Miquie Walker-Jones
Wales U21 Management:
Head Coach: Natalie Peperell
Assistant Coach: Jamilla Abbott
Team Manager: Lavinia Baker
Official hashtag:
#NWYC2017
International Netball Federation Appointed Umpires – Wales:
Alison Davies
Wales U21 match schedule:
Note: Botswana is +1 hour ahead of Wales. All match times below at GMT:
Day 1, 8.7.17 @ 1pm: England v Wales
Day 2, 9.7.17 @ 5pm: Wales v Fiji
Day 3, 10.7.17 @ 3pm: Grenada v Wales
Day 4, 11.7.17 @ 3pm: Wales v Trinidad & Tobago
Day 5 12.7.17: REST DAY
Day 6-9: Finals (Pools reconfigured)