Western Netball have named an exciting team to compete in the 2010 Lion Foundation National Netball Championships, commencing in September.

Western competes in the First Division of the Lion Foundation National Championships, the premier Regional Netball competition in New Zealand. Their campaign for 2010 will begin with two home games, the first will be held in Palmerston North on September 5th versus Canterbury, and the second in New Plymouth on September 12th versus 2009 Champions, Auckland-Waitakere. The season will culminate with a finals week from September 30th to October 2nd to be held in Auckland.

Six players return to the team from 2009. These include shooters Amber Bellringer and Chantelle Ngaia, mid-courters Lauren Burgess and Kylee Webb and defenders Sam Burkhart and Jodi Beaumont.

New comers to the team include Alanah Cassidy who, alongside Beaumont and Bellringer, has just returned from New Zealand U21 duties in Australia. Alanah's younger sister Whitney will also be joining the team after strong showings in the Western Lois Muir Challenge and Western U21 campaigns.

Another player who has performed well throughout the year in Western campaigns is young shooter Jess Grinlinton. Jess will be looking forward to playing netball for Western at the senior level.

Three recalled senior players will also be joining the Western One team. Miriama Selby-Rickit returns after a successful stint with Tasman in 2009. Plus Katarina Cooper and Lana Phipps have both put themselves forward for selection after time out from the top level last year.

Two non-travelling reserves have also been selected and they are youngsters Renee Matoe who competed in the Western U21 team at New Zealand Age Group Championships and Jenna O'Sullivan who performed well for Taranaki U19.

Annette Pearce and Jenni Brewer return to coach the team this year and will be looking for a coveted Semi Finals spot to improve on 2009's 5th place ranking.

The Western 1st Division team consists of:

Non travelling reserves: Renee Matoe (Manawatu) and Jenna O'Sullivan (Taranaki)

Western play Canterbury on Sunday 5th September, 12.00pm at the B&M Centre, Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North. Their second home game is Sunday 12th September, 12.00pm at the TSB Stadum, New Plymouth. Tickets are available through Ticket Direct on www.ticketdirect.co.nz (Palmerston North game) and Ticketmaster on www.ticketmaster.co.nz (New Plymouth game).