Pulse midcourter Maddy Gordon is set to make her Silver Ferns debut following an impressive ANZ Netball Premiership campaign.
Central Pulse mid-courter Maddy Gordon. Photo: Photosport
The 20-year-old is the only debutant in the New Zealand squad named on Tuesday.
Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua and the national selectors selected a 16-strong Silver Ferns Squad and a 10-woman development squad who will work together closely over the next year.
Gordon has been a regular starter for back to back champion Central Pulse having moved into the wing attack role this season.
The Pulse shooter Aliyah Dunn's fitness levels appear to not be up to the standard required by the Ferns, and she's been included in the development squad.
The Tactix defender Temalisi Fakahokotau, who is coming back from injury, is in the same boat.
Missing from last year's victorious Netball World Cup squad are New Zealand's veterans; Laura Langman, Maria Folau and Casey Kopua, who have all retired from the international game, while Phoenix Karaka is unavailable after announcing her pregnancy.
Ameliaranne Ekenasio will continue as captain with support from vice captains Gina Crampton and Jane Watson.
Taurua said she had been excited about the talent she had seen in this year's ANZ Premiership and was looking forward to building depth across the board.
"This has been one of the toughest seasons for the athletes in what has been a disrupted ANZ Premiership, but I have been impressed with how the teams have risen to the challenge and what they have produced on court," she said.
"Now is the time to continue developing our athletes at the highest level and building on our game which is exciting.
"We have the core of our Netball World Cup winning squad which brings that experience to the side while the likes of Claire, Sulu and Kelly have experience at that level and bring a fresh dynamic to the squad."
Taurua said she would be working closely with the Silver Ferns Development Squad which included both experience and New Zealand's next generation of netballers.
"The calibre of this squad I think really shows how well the future of our game is placed, which is why we want these athletes to work closely with the Silver Ferns Squad to help grow our depth at the elite level."
The Silver Ferns and Silver Ferns Development squads will begin training camps in October.
2020/21 Silver Ferns squad
Karin Burger
Gina Crampton
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Maddy Gordon
Kelly Jury
Claire Kersten
Bailey Mes
Kimiora Poi
Katrina Rore
Shannon Saunders
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Michaela Sokolich-Beatson
Whitney Souness
Jane Watson
Maia Wilson
2020/21 Silver Ferns development squad
Ellie Bird
Aliyah Dunn
Tayla Earle
Temalisi Fakahokotau
Monica Falkner
Kate Heffernan
Jamie Hume
Erena Mikaere
Grace Nweke
Samantha Winde