Twenty young females have officially been named in the Netball Cook Islands U21 training squad with majority being local trialists.

Coach John Glassie confirmed that six players were selected from Australia, one from New Zealand while the rest are based in the Cook Islands.

Having started the training camp this week, the selected players were put through several trials on their first day on Wednesday giving them a taste of what is to come in the week of training camp.

“For that trial, we had 38 trials, and we ran a skills session and then trial so basically it was to put them through the rigors of what is to come in the training camp,” Glassier said.

“Camp started today (yesterday) and finishes at 7pm on Saturday.”

Asked how the team was selected, Glassie said, “We advertised on Facebook and we contacted the netball communities in New Zealand and Australia and we asked them to put out the word with the trial information.”

Following the squad’s selection, the team has a busy training schedule ahead. One of the main tournaments the national side is preparing for is the Oceania Qualifier, which takes place in Rarotonga in three months. Three teams will qualify from this tournament for the Netball Youth World Cup in Gibraltar next year.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the Netball Cook Islands executive committee and the Under 21 management team congratulated the 20 trialists selected into the U21 national training squad.

“Netball Cook Islands are extremely proud of our players and how far they have come,” they stated. “Their enthusiasm and dedication has been commendable. All the best to our girls going into camp this week.”

Glassie rejoined Netball Cook Islands in March this year as the new coach of the U21 team.

Netball Cook Islands secretary and team manager Jenna Tere earlier said Glassie has a wealth of experience, with over 20 years of coaching experience, including leading the Cook Islands U21 team in 2016 and at the 2017 World Youth Cup in Botswana.

She added that Glassie’s decision to return to the Cook Islands to live is a testament to his commitment to the Cook Islands community.

Netball Cook Islands U21 training squad: Tia Crombie, Tuaana Mitchell, Kydan Tuapou, Tapuaiva Piakura, Jazaria Tongotongo, Mere-Jean Piri, Aaliyah Koteka, Nicol Tiaore, Deja-Maree Waitere- Patterson, Normavina Pepe, Ngahuia Te Rure, Maihanarei Short, Aleida Tere, Mattelena Tepai, Allisthena Poila, Tashi Kopu, Tailei Noovao-Blake, Maara Teariki, Maya Piakura, Terrisa Piri.