THERE were two Netball World Cup squads to drop overnight, with Wales the second nation to announce its team just after Tonga.
Head coach Emily Handyside has announced her squad of 15, and unlike the Tongan coaches, has named which three players are her travelling reserves.
Lead by Leeds Rhinos’ Nia Jones and Bath’s Bethan Dyke, many of the names in the Welsh side have come off a Netball Super League season with Welsh side, Celtic Dragons. This include Dragons skipper Clare Jones, midcourter Shona O’Dwyer, and defender Ella Powell-Davies.
A few non-Dragons also made the cut, including Jones, Dyke, and Maverick Christina Shaw. Lucy Howells has been included too, despite not playing in the Super League in 2023.
The squad also includes multiple members of the Welsh side that went to the Europe Netball Open Challenge, namely Nansi Kuti and Sarie Watkins.
Millie Carter, Celyn Emanuel and Abigail Caple are the three travelling reserves for Wales at the upcoming tournament.
Wales makes a return to the World Cup at this year’s tournament after failing to qualify for the last edition in 2019.
Wales Squad World Cup 2023
Nia Jones
Bethan Dyke
Lucy Howells
Clare Jones
Nansi Kuti
Zoe Matthewman
Shona O’Dwyer
Ella Powell-Davies
Georgia Rowe
Christina Shaw
Sarie Watkins
Phillipa Yarranton
Reserves: Millie Carter, Celyn Emanuel and Abigail Caple
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