Cocks named to NZ squad

Dual JCU Townsville Fire championship winner Micaela Cocks headlines the New Zealand trial squad ahead of the Asia Cup. The Tall Ferns co-captain, who has been a fixture of the New Zealand line-up since winning a silver medal at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, was included in a 15-player squad that also features championship-winning teammates Jill Harmon and Chevannah Paalvast. The Tall Ferns will assemble in Auckland from June 6 to 12, with the Asia Cup serving as a qualifying series for next year’s World Cup. “There are some exciting new names on the list such as Kayla Manuirirangi, Georgia Agnew and Charlisse Leger-Walker to name a few,” Tall Ferns coach Kennedy Kereama said. “All have had very good college experiences and will be coming into camp for their first opportunity. “This is a very exciting time for them and I know that our experienced players and leaders such as Antonia Farnworth (nee Edmondson), Jillian Harmon, Micaela Cocks and Natalie Taylor will do a great job of bringing them into the Tall Ferns way of life at camp.” Cocks and Paalvast are currently playing for Mackay in the QBL, while Harmon recently led Le Mura Lucca to the Italian title. Following the camp, the Tall Ferns will be selected for a tour of China and Singapore before they compete at the Asia Cup in Bangalore from July 23-29. New Zealand has been drawn in Pool A alongside perennial powerhouse China, Chinese Taipei and the DPR of Korea, while Australia has been drawn in Pool B. The top four teams from the tournament will qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Tall Ferns Selection Camp Squad Georgia Agnew –Harbour Breeze | NZL Jessica Bygate – Melbourne Boomers/ Sandringham Sabres | AUS Tea Charlton – Nottingham Wildcats/Nottingham Trent University | ENGLAND Micaela Cocks – Townsville Fire/ Mackay Meteorettes | AUS Antonia Farnworth (nee Edmondson) Perth Lynx/ Perry Lakes Hawks | AUS Deena Franklin – Harbour Breeze | NZL Jillian Harmon – Le Mura Lucca | ITALY Charlisse Leger-Walker – Waikato Wizards | NZL Kayla Manuirirangi – Tulane University | USA Katelin Noyer – Fresno State University | USA Chevannah Palvaast – Townsville Fire/ Mackay Meteorettes | AUS Kalani Purcell – Brigham Young University | USA Erin Rooney – Artego Bydgoszcz | POLAND Josephine Stockill – Sunbury Jets | AUS Natalie Taylor – Brisbane Spartans | AUS