WORCESTER'S Severn Stars have revealed their final squads at under 21s and 19s level for the 2017-18 season.

More than 80 young netballers aged from 15 to 20 applied with just 30 making it through. 

The under 21s squad includes University of Worcester student Emma Johnson, 19, and the University of Gloucestershire's Laura Dixon, 20, Ella Powell-Davies, 19, Shona O’Dwyer, 19, Eve Wright, 19, and Sarah Angell, 19.

They will play alongside England under 17s star Beth Gabriel, 16, as well as Alice Gallienne, 20, Clemmie Roast, 16, Tia Meddick, 18, Anna Lebe, 18, Katie White, 17, Morganne Dunn, 19, Brooke Vivian, 18, and Jane Taylor, 17.

The under 19s squad are Thalia Letori, 16, Olivia Jones, 17, Katie Cruickshank, 16, Harriet Sanderson, 15, Martha Scott, 17, Isabella Robinson, 17, Chloe Carchrie, 16, Abbie Le Marquand, 16, Scarlett Smith, 18, Darcey Scott, 16, Bella Crampton, 16, Alex Baird, 16, Darcey Dunn, 16, Jane Taylor, 17, and Imogen Falconbridge, 18.

Initial trials were in September and since then a squad of 34 have been in training with some players returning from last year.

They will play in the National Performance League and Under 21s League respectively.

The squads train twice a week, including one session alongside the professional Stars squad at the University of Worcester Arena.

The under 21s begin their season on January 27 and the under 19s on February 3.

Sam Cook, Stars' pathway head coach, said the fact two senior players and one from the club's training partners squad are also in the under 21s set-up indicated the strength of the team. 

She also highlighted the youth of the under 19s with an average age of 16 as a real positive for such a new side, allowing the players to develop and grow as a team and build for the future.

“We have got strong feeder clubs in the area so it’s great to be building relationships locally,” Cook said.

“It’s a massive opportunity, especially as we train all together on the Thursday with the senior team on the next court. 

"Hopefully they can watch these athletes in action with the ethos and expectations they have and replicate that if that’s what they want to aspire to.

“It’s a chance to see what it’s like and what it takes to play at a professional level and understand you can still have a full-time job and commit to being a semi-professional netballer. We hope that can inspire them.

“They are a committed and enthusiastic group of players and I am really looking forward to watching them progress and develop over the course of the season.”