Yawuru star goalkeeper Scarlet Jauncey will make history at the Netball World Youth Cup this weekend as the first Indigenous athlete to run out in green and gold at the tournament in 20 years.
The World Youth Cup will feature 20 teams of the world's best under 21 netballers in Gibraltar starting with an opening ceremony on Friday local time before matches begin on Saturday and culminating with the final on Sunday September 28.
Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand are the only countries to have crowned champions since its inception in 1988.
Aotearoa are the reigning champions from their win in 2017, with the 2021 tournament cancelled due to pandemic.
For Jauncey, it's another chance at playing against the world's best.
The West Coast Fever reserves star comes off a strong couple of seasons.
In 2024 she got a taste of playing in the international area as an inaugural member of the national Indigenous representative side the First Nations Black Swans' debut at the Pacific Series, before being selected in the national U21s extended squad.
Jauncey captained the Black Swans in their return 2025, finished equal fourth in WA premier netball's best-and-fairest count and lifted the trophy with the Fever reserves - lining up against English international shooter Eleanor Cardwell in June's final win over Melbourne Mavericks.
"I sort of still can't believe that I've made the team, and I'm just really excited to get over there and play," Jauncey told National Indigenous Times at last month's First Nations Tournament, where she was assistant coach for the WA side featuring sisters Jamaica and Macy.
"The competition is obviously the next level, which is always the goal. Playing against the best in Australia is what I want to do, then go and play against the rest of the world. It's really exciting."
Congratulations to the Australian 21/U team, who were presented their Netball World Youth Cup dresses by the Origin Australian Diamonds this week ðŸ'« pic.twitter.com/r9U2EO6edk
— Netball Australia (@NetballAust) September 11, 2025
Australia begin their campaign against Northern Ireland on Saturday.
Samoa, Scotland and Singapore - all nations whose senior sides Jauncey has experience against, make up the rest of Pool B.
The Australian side for the tournament features Super Netball players Sophie Casey, Kayla Graham, Lily Graham, Hope White Olivia Wilkinson and Grace Whyte.
Jauncey is hopeful of joining the next level looking ahead.
"I've been in the Fever training environment this year, so the goal is definitely to keep going and stay in that environment and then hopefully make an (Super Netball) team, and then go all the way to the Australian Diamonds. That's the long term goal."
