NZ Junior team announced for Australia tests

The New Zealand Junior Team to take on Australia in two tests in Invercargill in April has been announced.

The two tests will be played at Squash City Invercargill on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 April - following the New Zealand Junior Open in Timaru, and immediately preceding the Oceania Junior Championships in Invercargill.

Two boys and two girls in each age group between under 13 and under 19 (with a third under 19 girl to play to aid that age group's preparations for the World Junior Women's Championships to be played in Cairo, Egypt later this year) play in each test - making a total of 17 matches per test.

The test matches are viewed as an important stage in the pathway for junior players: providing young players with representative experience, and exposing them to international play.

In last year's matches Australia edged New Zealand by the slimmest of margins, so the Kiwis will be hoping that home advantage can get them over the line this time around.

Selected Players

Under 13: Ruby Saies (Auckland), Ariata Kutia (Eastern), Elijah Thomas (Auckland), Leo Fatialofa (Auckland)

Under 15: Rhiarne Taiapa (Eastern), Anika Jackson (Waikato), Matthew Lucente (Auckland), Gabe Yam (Auckland)

Under 17: Elite Junior Girls' Squad*, Jamie Oakley (BOP), Rafa Yam (Auckland)

Under 19: Elite Junior Girls' Squad*, Luke Jones (Central), Chapman Kutia (Eastern)

*Elite Junior Girls' Squad members: Juee Bhide, Lauren Clarke, Ellie Epke, Nadia Hubbard, Anna Hughes, Casey Owen, Abbie Palmer, Kaitlyn Watts