Netball Northern Ireland is delighted to announced the 12-player squad that will represent the country at the Netball World Youth Cup 2025, taking place in Gibraltar from 20–28 September.
The U21 National Squad qualified for the World Youth Cup by finishing in top 3 in the European Qualifiers in September 2024. The squad, comprising of seven players who played part in the 2024 qualification, are aiming to make their mark on the global stage as Northern Ireland takes on the world’s best in Pool B, alongside Australia, Samoa, Scotland, and Singapore.
Northern Ireland U21 National Squad
| Catelyn Burns | Centre Court |
| Joy Ebbinghaus | Circle Attack |
| Emilia Gordon | Circle Attack |
| Tillie Irvine | Circle Defence |
| Mia Lanigan | Centre Court |
| Zoe Maynard | Centre Court |
| Rosa McCloskey (VC) | Circle Attack |
| Ana Mulholland (C) | Circle Defence |
| Alice O’Brien | Centre Court |
| Mica Quinn | Circle Defence |
| Eva Ramsey | Circle Attack |
| Immi Shaw | Circle Defence |
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Non-travelling reserves
Emily Brownleader (Centre Court), Sylvie Burrows (Circle Attack), Izzy Paas (Circle Defence)
Management
Head Coach Sachel Grant
Assistant Coach Shaunagh Craig
Team Manager Charlotte Elliott
Physiotherapist Gavin Noble
Performance Analyst Lauren Webb
U21 Head Coach Sachel Grant, who guided the team through a successful qualifying campaign last year, praised the players’ resilience and focus:
This group has shown tremendous dedication. They have earned their spots not just through skill, but through discipline, character, and a shared belief in what we are building.
We have selected players who bring both experience and new energy. Several have already been exposed to senior training environments, while others are rising quickly through the performance pathway. It is an exciting blend.
Senior Head Coach Sheonah Forbes, welcomed the announcement and underlined its importance to the wider national programme:
This U21 squad represents the future of Northern Ireland netball. It is vital we expose our emerging talent to the intensity of international tournaments early on, and the World Youth Cup is the perfect platform. Many of these players will push for senior selection, with some already representing at senior level. This is a key moment for both athletes and staff to gain value experience and relish in an opportunity that does not come round very option.
The Netball World Youth Cup, held every four years, features the best U21 athletes from across the globe.
Northern Ireland will open their campaign on 20th September against Australia, before facing Scotland (21st), Samoa (23rd), and Singapore (24th) in the group stages.