Three New Caps & Captain Named In Silver Ferns Team

NEWS RELEASE 12 September 2011

Three New Caps & Captain Named In Silver Ferns Team For New World Netball Series

The National Selectors have named nineteen year old Kayla Cullen (Mystics), nineteen year old Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick (Magic) and shooter Cathrine Latu (Mystics) as the three new caps in the Silver Ferns team to play against England in the upcoming New World Netball Series. Silver Fern Laura Langman (76 caps) was also confirmed today as captain for the final five test matches of the year with Irene van Dyk (126 caps) being named as vice-captain.

Aitken says we are looking towards the next four year cycle it is now time to give these young players an opportunity to take their game to the next level and grow a core of players that will progress through to the next World Champs.

"Both Kayla and Sulu have shown a great step up while being in the Silver Ferns environment and deserved the recognition of making the team. It's also an exciting day for Cathrine Latu after a long wait to become eligible for the Silver Ferns we are delighted to name her in the final team of 12. There's a huge amount of pride playing in front of a home crowd and we're really looking forward to the challenge of playing the English again with our new look team," she said.

The Series promises to once again offer closely contested Netball, and will be Aitken's last ever in front of a home crowd. The first test of the New World Netball Series will be held on Monday 3rd October in Auckland at the Trust Stadium Arena and the final test will be held on Thursday 6th October in Invercargill at the Stadium Southland Velodrome.

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The Silver Ferns team (12 players) to play England in the New World Netball Series is: Leana de Bruin Kayla Cullen* Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick* Paula Griffin Joline Henry Laura Langman (captain) Cathrine Latu* Liana Leota Anna Scarlett Anna Thompson Maria Tutaia Irene van Dyk (vice-captain)

*New caps to the team.

Profile Information:

Cathrine Latu Positions: GS Height: 1.89m DOB: 25/10/86 Inclusion in a composite World 7 team in 2009 pushed Cathrine Latu's standing in netball to new heights. The former NZ Secondary Schools and NZU21 shooter has talent to burn. Blessed with soft hands, nimble footwork and an eye for the gap, Latu has continued to add the polish to her abundant natural skills through the demands of the ANZ Championship, during which she has played for the Northern Mystics since the competition's inception in 2008. The imposing shooter's game has continued to grow, Latu's deceptive exploits in the goal circle becoming a feature since she left her mark for the World 7. Inclusion in the Silver Ferns squad became a formality which can only further add to Latu's growing stature in the game.

Kayla Cullen Positions: GD, WD Height: 1.83m DOB: 13/2/92 Kayla Cullen takes her place in the Silver Ferns team for the first time after a sensational 12 months. The versatile Cullen has built on an impressive pedigree in netball, progressing through the New Zealand Secondary School ranks and the NZU21squad. Thrown in at the defensive deep end with the Mystics this year after originally being signed on as a shooter, Cullen capped an outstanding season by becoming a first choice starter and scooping the 2011 ANZ Championship Best Young Player award. Hints of her undoubted talent were highlighted when the teenager was part of the New Zealand team which successfully defended the World FastNet title last year minus their Silver Ferns. A rangy defender, Cullen is quick on her feet and possesses an instinctive ability to read the intercept.

Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick Positions: GD, GK Height: 1.88m DOB: 20/8/92 Powerhouse teenage defender Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick was another of the younger brigade to leave their mark in 2011. Tone-Fitzpatrick had a storming ANZ Championship in her first season with Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic, making rapid progress on the back of quality court time to leave no doubts about her enormous potential. At this stage, the strapping defender is best known for her exploits from the custodian's position of goalkeeper but Tone-Fitzpatrick has the potential to play any of the back three positions. A former national secondary school representative and current captain of the NZU21 squad, Tone-Fitzpatrick had her first involvement in the trans-Tasman competition last year with Northern Mystics while still a schoolgirl. Mobile and particularly strong in the air, Tone-Fitzpatrick celebrated a fine season by being among the finalists for the 2011 ANZ Championship Best Young Player award.

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