Ten players have been selected for the Australian Pearls ahead of the fourth INAS Global Games for players with an intellectual disability.
Currently ranked first in the world, the Pearls will attend the tournament in September with Ecuador playing hosts.
This year, the format has been changed to a 3x3 competition. Veteran players Eliza Mills, Danni Burden and Molly Urquhart-Morgan will be joined by fresh new talent in Taylor and Brittany Anderson, Jessica Duncan, Kate Leckenby, Lois Shea, Jessica McCulloch and Katlin Zonneveld.
Head coach Larry Davidson is pleased with the assembled group. “I am excited by the excellent balance we have between youth, fitness and enthusiasm of the younger players and the experience, control and steadiness of our more experienced team members,” he said. “The 3x3 format is tough, very physical and fast and these ten players have already demonstrated a strong capability.”
Looking ahead to the Global Games, Australia expects to face Japan, USA and France.
“With only three of this year’s team having previous International playing experience and with the format being changed to 3x3, the possibilities are very exciting,” said Davidson. “We are very optimistic about what the Games will bring.”
The 2015 Australian Pearls: Brittany Anderson (ACT), Taylor Anderson (ACT), Danni Burden (VIC), Jessica Duncan (NSW), Kate Leckenby (VIC), Jessica McCulloch (VIC), Eliza Mills (NSW), Lois Shea (VIC), Molly Urquhart-Morgan (VIC), Katlin Zonneveld (VIC).
