Grant 'lost for words' on becoming captain

New Zealand netball skipper Katrina Grant says she's lost for words after being named to lead the side in the upcoming Quad Series.

Katrina Grant is "lost for words" after being named New Zealand captain for netball's Quad Series.

Grant, 29, takes over from Casey Kopua who is unavailable following the birth of her first child in May.

Laura Langman has been named vice-captain in a squad featuring three debutants - Storm Purvis, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Maia Wilson.

"Every time I play for my country it is an absolute honour and to now be given the opportunity to lead the Silver Ferns as their captain alongside Laura - I'm still a little lost for words," Grant said on Wednesday.

"It is an amazing feeling and one I'm not sure will sink in until we stand arm-in-arm for the first Test to sing the national anthem."

Wilson, a shooter, who played her first season of trans-Tasman netball with the Central Pulse this year, is the only real bolter.

She joins Bailey Mes, Ameliaranne Ekenasio (nee Wells) and fellow newcomer Selby-Rickit in an attack missing injured veteran Maria Tutaia (foot).

Purvis joins a strong defensive unit of Grant, Anna Harrison and Phoenix Karaka after Leana de Bruin announced her retirement earlier Wednesday morning.

"There is an experienced core in this Silver Ferns team and a number of new faces who will continue to build and shape the team as we head towards the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup (in Liverpool in 2019)," new coach Janine Southby said.

The New Zealanders will face England, South Africa and Australia in next week's Quad Series before tussling with Jamaica in the Taini Jamison Trophy.

Meanwhile, former Silver Ferns shooter Cathrine Tuivaiti was named in the New Zealand A squad for warm-up matches against the visiting international teams.

NZ squad: Kayla Cullen, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant (capt), Anna Harrison, Phoenix Karaka, Laura Langman (vice-captain), Bailey Mes, Storm Purvis, Grace Rasmussen, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson.

NZA squad: Jamie Hume, Ellen Halpenny, Cathrine Tuivaiti, Monica Falkner, Gina Crampton, Erikana Pederson, Jamie-Lee Price, Sam Sinclair, Kelly Jury, Jane Watson, Jess Moulds, Holly Fowler.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world