Volleyball Tasman’s junior development programme has once again been rewarded, with seven local players selected in extended New Zealand under 20 men’s and women’s squads.
Lucia Wood, Ashlee Shone, Holly Shone and Sadie Harwood have been named in the New Zealand under 20 women’s squad, while Maaka Hall, Jack Hammon and Quinn Heiford have been included in the men’s squad. Canterbury based Nelsonian Emilia Ainley has also been selected.
The extended squads have been selected with a two-year cycle in mind, culminating in the Youth World Championships.
Volleyball in the Nelson Tasman region has long punched above its weight nationally, and Volleyball Tasman development manager Josh Obsenek says the selections reflect years of consistent effort.
“They all absolutely deserve to be selected based on their effort the past few years,” Josh says. “They’re all excellent athletes, and they’ll work their butts off to be selected in the final teams when they are named.”
The Volleyball New Zealand Inter-Provincial championships in Wellington over King’s Birthday provided the first opportunity for players to impress national selectors.
