Netball Cook Islands has yet to announce any plans or training schedules for its 18-member training squad it announced this week for the upcoming Netball World Youth Cup.

The national under-21 squad includes Tia Crombie, Genesis Foster-Jonassen, Charlize Gabel-Joseph, Tashi Kopu, Aaliyah Koteka, Serra Lau’ese, Marua Matapo, Feliza Nicholas, Mere-Jean Piri, Roimata Save-Havili, Chariah Shepherd, Mahanarei Short, Ngahuia Te-Rure, Aleida Tere, Melody Tommy, Jazaria Tongotongo, Kydan Tuapou and Deja-Maree Waitere-Patterson.

Netball Cook Islands (NCI) acknowledged the dedication, talent and commitment these players have shown to earn their place in the training squad.

Last month, 27 netball trialists from Rarotonga, Australia and New Zealand participated in sessions held on April 19 and 21 at the National Sports Arena Indoor Stadium.

The team is preparing for the Netball World Youth Cup to be held in Gibraltar from September 19 to 28, 2025.

Coached by Lux Letoa, the U21 team will be facing New Zealand, the host nation Gibraltar, Malaysia and Zambia.

NCI president Ngere Puia-Fraser said they have yet to meet officially with the selected local players’ parents and they could not announce any further plans for training or whether there would be any friendly matches held in Rarotonga and New Zealand before the Netball World Youth Cup in September.

Meanwhile, locally, the Netball Cook Islands’ 2025 domestic competition continues today with the second round of matches held around the island.

On Wednesday, despite the rain, Arorangi Flames Open 1 and Open 2 teams took out their “sisters in red”, Takuvaine Netball team. In the Open 1, the Flames won 28-23 and in Open 2, 21-8.

The energy on the court was electric, with plenty of highlights to cheer for, especially the unstoppable mother-daughter duo Mii Maui and Latisha Mataora in the Open 1 grade, according to Arorangi Netball.

And in Open 2, “Mama Orometua” stepped up at GA and gave it her all.

“Both teams showed solid defence to slick mid-court work and sharp shooting, our ladies turned grit into goals.”

The Flames will be facing Takuvaine again today for the other grade competitions from 11am while Tupapa will take on the Eastern Stars, Ngatangiia –Matavera.