Ten players with senior domestic experience have been named among the six squads competing for regional glory at this year’s National Women’s Under19 tournament.
Starting on Sunday at Lincoln University, teams will play four One Day matches and three Twenty20 matches over six days and will feature rising stars such as Emma McLeod (Central Hinds), Anika Todd (Auckland Hearts) and Eve Wolland (Northern Brave).
NZC High Performance Coach Sara McGlashan is excited to see the next wave of talent on display.
“Nationals are an integral part of the pathway system.” said McGlashan.
“It’s a great opportunity for the best players from across the country to come together and showcase their skills on the national stage.
“There’s a lot of promising talent coming through the ranks so I’m really looking forward to seeing them in action.”
Defending champions Auckland U19 will be bolstered by five contracted Auckland Hearts in Elizabeth Buchanan, Sophie Court, Kate Irwin, Rishika Jaswal and Todd.
McLeod attended the 2023 U19 World Cup, and has impressed at the top of the Central Hinds batting order.
Emma McLeod in action for the Central Hinds - @photosportnz
Wellington’s Hannah Francis (4-16) and Otago’s Louisa Kotkamp (4-17) have already impressed in this season’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield competition, claiming four wickets apiece in the second round.
Wolland (48*) of produced a match-winning effort to see Northern Districts home in a thriller against the Auckland Hearts.
With the next edition of the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January, the tournament serves as a final opportunity for players to push for their spot in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
Plimmer, who recently featured in the WHITE FERNS World Cup winning side, represented Wellington at the National U19 tournament twice in 2019-20 and 2020-21, reflected on her experience at the age group tournament.
“I have so many fun memories from Nationals,” said Plimmer.
“It was always a good opportunity to test yourself against others from around the country but also make friends from other regions.
“I never got to be part of a tournament-winning side but I’ll be keeping a close eye on Wellington’s matches and hope to see them bring it home.”
The New Zealand U19 World Cup squad will be selected on the 10th of December with the pre-departure camp to be held in Lincoln, January 5th - 8th.
The ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup will officially commence with warm up matches on Monday 13th January.
Matches will be scored live at nzc.nz and one match per round will be live streamed on NZC’s YouTube channel.
Auckland U19 Women: Simi Bajaj, Elizabeth Buchanan*, Kate Duffield, Kaitlyn Halliday, Kate Irwin*, Rishika Jaswal*, Ayaan Lambat, Holly Lightbourne, Eve Meachen, Anika Todd*, Anika Tauwhare, Neena Woolaston, Sophie Court*, Eli McKenna.
Northern Districts U19 Women: Tash Wakelin (c)*, Dayle Anderson, Charlotte Bell, Jessica Benge, Angela Clarke, Elin Gainsford, Catherine Hardie, Zamera Ikiua, Brittany Jenkins, Gemma Lovewell, Ananya Sharma, Miah Smith, Eve Wolland*.
Central Districts U19 Women: Emma McLeod (c)*, Vanessa Taylor, Ella Hogan, Abby Treder, Sophie Campbell, Catherine Hockly, Charlotte Butler, Caitlin Marshall, Cara Hollard, Stella Cornelius, Jenna Allison, Anika Scott, Summer Lovegrove.
Wellington U19 Women: Ava Conroy (c), Anya Birmingham, Lily Campbell, Kate Chandler*, Hannah Francis*, Eva Hay, Ashleigh Henderson, Nell McCrystal, Isla McKenzie, Esme Olney Boyd, Emma Parker, Neha Ramanathan, Anvi Verma.
Canterbury U19 Women: Scarlett Amos, Sacha Arnold, Elsie Duncan, Izzy Fox, Chloe Graham, Camryn Linton, Meg Moffat, Aine Molony, Olivia Paul, Darcy-Rose Prasad, Hannah Ryan, Stella Stewart, Kat Thomas.
Otago U19 Women: Gemma Burleigh, Sophie Deerness, Abby Fookes, Emily Hickey, Brooke Huddleston, Elisabeth Hutton-Neil, Louisa Kotkamp*, Molly Mason-Galletly, Georgie McEwen, Charlotte Morris, Beth O’Connor, Hannah O’Connor, Sorcha Wilkinson.
*domestic contract player
