By Emily Goddard

Laura Geitz is one of 18 Australian netballers heading to a Commonwealth Games selection camp next month ahead of Glasgow 2014 ©Getty ImagesApril 15 - Australia has revealed a squad of 18 netball players heading to a Commonwealth Games selection camp in Canberra next month in the hope of competing at Glasgow 2014.

All but one of the athletes are previous team members after national selectors chose to retain a reduced squad in their quest for the country's first Commonwealth Games netball gold medal since Manchester 2002.

Karyn Bailey and Susan Pratley are among the names to return to the team, alongside 2011 World Championship gold medallists Caitlin Bassett, Erin Bell, Julie Corletto, Laura Geitz, Kimberlee Green, Sharni Layton and Natalie Medhurst.

Geitz, Green and Medhurst's fellow Delhi 2010 silver medallists Rebecca Bulley and Renae Hallinan also feature on the team, as well as Melbourne 2006 silver medal winner Bianca Chatfield.

Tegan Caldwell, Kim Ravaillion, Madi Robinson, Gabi Simpson, Caitlin Thwaites and debutant Elizabeth Watson complete the line up.

"We're very pleased that we've got a strong 18-player squad and in general they've all been in consistent and solid form and doing what we want them to be doing at this stage which is terrific, particularly those who have been re-selected into the squad," said Australia coach Lisa Alexander, who will name her 12-player team following the conclusion of the three-day selection camp on May 5 to 7.

"It's all about who we believe have the best chances of selection at this stage through their performances in the ANZ Championship, plus past international considerations, and execution of the personal performance plans that we set at the start of the year."

Two-time world champion and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Natalie Medhurst is one of the big names hoping to represent Australia at Glasgow 2014 ©Getty ImagesTwo-time world champion and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Natalie Medhurst is one of the big names hoping to represent Australia at Glasgow 2014 ©Getty Images


Alexander added that Watson secured a place on the squad after the Melbourne Vixens midcourter impressed selectors with her performances against world class opponents in recent weeks.

"We think Liz [Watson] has been extremely consistent, going about her centre court play efficiently, which is terrific, and producing well-polished skills in attacking and defensive aspects of her game," Alexander said.

"She's had a good test out there on court this season against some quality opposition and she's a big part of why the Vixens are on top of the ladder at the moment."

Australia will get its Glasgow 2014 competition underway against Wales on July 24, ahead of their remaining pool matches against England, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa.

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