The Netball World Cup is now set for December 2021 in Fiji with Samoa's U-21 and national team starting their preparations on Saturday at the Multipurpose Netball Gymnasium at Tuanaimato.

For the U-21, Netball Samoa has already announced their squad which consists of 22 young women who were able to reach the average requirements to be a part of the squad. 

However, they are to go through trials, before they can be confirmed to their spot.

"The U-21 are now doing trials, and they will be doing it every week. Today, they are trialling against a mixed team of Golden Phoenix and SCOPA players for the first two quarters, then they will take on a mixed team from St Mary's Sports Club and United Souls players," says Tusi Faasootau-Ale, a Netball Samoa official.

They will start their camps soon, despite the World Cup being close to 14 months away, with Netball Samoa determined to have them ready through its rigorous training.

"We will prepare them so the 22 who made it to long list squad, every week we will have trials to make sure they are fit. This is our only best option to have them play against other players with different style so that they are used to it. We put them on against mixed team to test their fitness level and their strengths," she added.

The girls selected have played in different clubs, however, the way they played on Saturday was admirable. Each player was able to communicate with others and made great moves as well form players combinations.

The parents of the squad were also present to witness their daughters battle it out on the court against the older and more experienced players from St Mary's. Golden Phoenix, United Souls, and SCOPA. 

"Next year, we will start shortlisting our team to 12 players as we can only take 12 players to Fiji. We also have trial lists for our national team so they are also joining these trials," she said.

The long list squad are:

• Sayonara Alalatoa
• Tamara Anderson
• Margean Asiata
• Jennifer Brown
• Ausrae Harrison
• Croshanlei Lepou
• Imelda Lolesio
• Ariana Luamanu
• Seutatia Matautia
• Sila Matautia
• Rumei Meredith
• Jalani Moeono
• Alyssa Niko-Tuifao
• Olivia Ropati
• Rylee Schuster
• Malia Seumanutafa-Gale
• Grace Siaosi Fono
• Geraldine Taefu
• Larafina Tanielu-Stowers
• Samantha Tuilaepa
• Grace Valele
• Louisa Wolfgramm