It comes following the announcement that the event will again be cancelled due to COVID.

Preparations were already well under way for the North East under-17s and under-15s, with the squads selected.

Under-17s coach Noel Halton was excited by the calibre of players who trialed over the four week selection process this season.

He admitted it was a disappointing result for the young players and coaching staff, with the titles allowing netballers to represent their region on a larger stage.

"It's a bit of a shame that it's two years in a row now," Halton said.

"It's disappointing for everyone and a lot of work goes on behind the scenes."

Close to 60 players from across the local netball leagues and associations were vying for a spot in the squad this season.

Halton admitted it had made the selection process tough.

"It's unbelievable the quality of netballers that we get," he said.

"We had to cut some quality players, which is always sad.

"The reality is it's a bit brutal when you get to that level."

Halton hopes to see players return to try again for 2022.

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"Hopefully the girls who are bottom agers can come back again next year to trial and go through the process again," he said.

"Unfortunately for the girls who are at the top age of 17s this year, this is probably the end of the road for them unless there's an open team."

Halton was to be assisted by former Wodonga Bulldogs' coach Shea Cunningham.

North Albury's Fiona Boyer was set to coach the under-15s, while Tallangatta and District Netball Association's Bianca Mann was her assistant.

The under-17 squad for 2021: Audrey Adams (North Albury), Ruby Bouffler (Albury Netball Association), Tess Byrne (Yarrawonga), Eliza Cyc, Kytlee Willis (Raiders), Dior Dooley, Lilli Howe (Albury Tigers), Grace Hay, Olivia Sanson (Lavington), Grace Kennedy (Corowa-Rutherglen), Tarli Kennett (Mitta United), Sophie Larkin, Billie Stemmer, Andrea Uebergang (Wangaratta Rovers) Ella Vandermeer (Wodonga Bulldogs).

The under-15 squad for 2021: Alice Carroll (Albury Netball Association), Kate Evans, Charlotte Streat (North Albury), Mia Kennedy (Yarrawonga), Ava Koschitzke, Mia Lavis, Maggie McGrath, Eliza Mooney (Raiders), Kealey Moore (Barnawartha), Niamh Moylan, Lizzy Murphy (Wodonga Bulldogs), Kaleisha Pell (Yarrawonga and District Netball Association), emg: Rose Henry (Wangaratta Magpies), Lily Mckimmie (Tallangatta).

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