The Australian Netball World Youth Cup team have claimed silver at the World Youth Cup in Botswana over the weekend.
Despite an unbeaten run through the tournament prior to the gold medal match, the Australians were defeated by 2013 U21 World Youth Cup champions and trans-tasman rivals the Silver Ferns 60 to 57.
Going down by just three goals in a testing match, the Australians failed to convert at goal despite finishing the match leading significantly in all key defensive statistics.
VIS athlete Emma Ryde, was brought on late in the third quarter to try and shake up the defending champions, putting through 14 goals before the end of the match in a bid to put Australia in front. The match also saw VIS scholarship holder Kate Eddy take to the court.
However, New Zealand’s experienced team, which included two senior national players Kelly Jury and Maia Wilson, proved too much for the young Australian side, with the Silver Ferns defending their crown. Silver Fern, Kelly Jury, was named Player of the Match.
The next World Youth Cup will be held in Fiji in 2021.
Photo: Netball Australia
