Northern Ireland U21 National Academy Announced for 2025
Netball Northern Ireland is proud to reveal the Northern Ireland U21 National Academy for 2025.
Following an extensive selection process, Head Coach Sachel Grant has named a squad of 20 outstanding athletes who will represent Northern Ireland as they continue their development on the high-performance pathway and work towards the World Youth Cup in September 2025.
These players have demonstrated exceptional skill, commitment, and determination, earning their place in the Academy. With a mix of experience and emerging talent, this squad is ready to take on the challenges ahead and showcase the future of Northern Ireland Netball.
Meet the Squad
| Name | Club |
| Emily Brownleader | Royals Netball Club |
| Catelyn Burns | Northumbria University Netball Club |
| Aoibheann Donnelly | Crumlin Community Netball Club |
| Willow Dryden | Telstars Netball Club |
| Joy Ebbinghaus | Donaghadee Netball Club |
| Emilia Gordon | Crumlin Community Netball Club |
| Tillie Irvine | Hertfordshire University Netball Club |
| Mia Lanigan | YWCA Bury Netball Club |
| Zoe Maynard | Mavericks Netball Club |
| Evie McCafferty | Clann Eireann Netball Club |
| Rosa McCloskey | Kingsway Netball Club |
| Ana Mulholland | Crumlin Community Netball Club |
| Alice O’Brien | Exeter Netball Club |
| Bryony O’Hare | Exeter University Netball Club |
| Isabella Paas | Hatfield Netball Club |
| Mica Quinn | Henley Netball Club |
| Eva Ramsey | Crumlin Community Netball Club |
| Anna Rice | Crumlin Community Netball Club |
| Imogen Shaw | Team Bath Netball Club |
| Aoife Wolfe | Belfast Ladies Netball Club |
Meet the Management Team
Behind every great team is a strong support system. The U21 National Academy will be led by an experienced and dedicated coaching team, ensuring these athletes continue to grow and thrive.
- Head Coach – Sachel Grant
- Assistant Coach – Lisa Bowman
- Technical Coach – Shaunagh Craig
- Team Manager – Charlotte Elliott
A Bright Future Ahead
The U21 National Academy plays a vital role in developing the next generation of elite netballers, bridging the gap between youth and senior competition. This squad will train, compete, and push each other to new heights, with a focus on the World Youth Cup 2025, which will be held in Gibraltar in September 2025. Northern Ireland will compete in Pool B against Australia, Samoa, Scotland and Singapore.
We look forward to seeing what this team achieves in 2025. Let’s get behind them and show our support.
Stay updated on all U21 squad news by following us on social media and visiting our website.
