Singapore, 6 June 2011 - Singapore have announced an experienced team ahead of the Mission Foods World Netball Championships taking place in Singapore from 3rd - 10th July 2011.

 

At the Netball Singapore team announcement today, Executive Director for Netball Singapore, Mr Cyrus Medora, introduced the players who have been chosen by the National Selectors. The Team for the 2011 Mission Foods World Netball Championships included the following players:

 

Jean Ng (Captain)

Lin Qingyi (Vice-Captain)

Pearline Chan

Chen Hui Fen

Chen LiLi*

Premila Hirubalan

Vanessa Lee

Li Ling

Nurul Baizura

Charlene Porima

Asha Tett

One Player TBC

*subject to citizenship approval

 

Team Officials

Kate Carpenter (Coach)

Yeo Mee Hong (Assistant Coach)

Lee Min Li (Manager)

Simon Raftery (Physiotherapist)

Cormac O'Muircheartaigh (Doctor)

Jill McIntosh (Technical Consultant)

Annette Pearce (Performance Analyst)

 

Eight of the players named were members of the 2007 World Championship Team (Auckland, NZ) with 21 and Under players, Chen LiLi and Nurul Baizura getting their first opportunity to compete in this World Class Event. One player is still to be added to the team in the shooting area with Cassandra Soh ruled out of contention because of a recently diagnosed stress fracture injury.  This choice of player must be decided by 3^rd July.

 

Captain Jean Ng, one of the highest capped international players heading into these World Netball Championships, at 86 caps, said “The team is very excited to be playing at home in front of family and friends and to show them the level of netball we’re involved in. There’s a depth of talent within the team and we’re confident of a credible performance.”  Alongside her will be Lin Qingyi, the 25 year old circle defender who has been selected as Vice Captain.

 

Although a relatively predictable side, given the recent performances against Malaysia, a surprise inclusion is former Singapore and England national shooter Asha Tett. Asha’s player biography includes representing England, the current World No.3 Team, at the World Youth Cup and Open European Championships, representing Singapore at the Asian Championships, and playing alongside Irene van Dyke for Bay of Plenty Magic in New Zealand’s National Bank Cup and Pamela Cookey for TeamBath in the Fiat SuperLeague in the UK.

 

Nine players remain from the gold medalist 2005 Asian Championships Team including Tett, who partnered Tan Hui Yan in the shooting circle.  

 

The up-coming championships in Singapore will be the third time that both Jean Ng and Melbourne based Premila Hirubalan have competed for Singapore in the World Netball Championships with netball careers spanning over 12 years. Circle defender, Hirubalan who competed at the 1999 and 2007 competition, currently stands at 69 caps.  Her vast experience at major competitions will be an asset to the team going into the event.  With her agile and powerful defending technique, she will be a player to watch.

 

At 62 caps, Pearline Chan, who presented alongside Jean Ng at the conference that won Singapore the bid to host the competition in July, will bring her experience from numerous test series, the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and World Netball Championships in 2007 to the centre court.

 

Kate Carpenter, Head Coach said of the selection “All the players are very deserving of their selection. It’s an exciting team for Singapore”

 

Meanwhile, Netball Singapore are waiting to hear if 21 year old Goal Keeper, Chen Lili who stands at 196cm, will be granted Singapore citizenship in time for the Championship.

 

Preparations for the competition continue. The Australian Institute of Sport Netball Team will be based in Singapore from the 17^th June as training partners for the Singapore Team. Singapore will play New Zealand’s Silver Ferns on the 30^th June and Northern Ireland on the 1^st July as final practice matches before the competition commences on the 3^rd of July.

 

The Mission Foods World Netball Championships 2011 will be held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 3-10 July 2011. Daily tickets for the tournament are currently available through SISTIC at www.sistic.com.sg and at SISTIC counters.