A new-look Australian team will contest the Toyota World Junior Teams Championship this month.
The three-woman Aussie team to play in Japan comprises rising Queenslander Cassie Porter and West Australian pair Maddison Hinson-Tolchard and Kirsten Rudgeley.
The four-strong men’s team features Newcastle’s Jye Pickin, the Gold Coast’s Elvis Smylie and another pair of Perth golfers, Josh Greer and Hayden Hopewell.
Ritchie Smith, who will co-coach the team with Rachel Bailey, said the seven young competitors are all excited to take a first big leap into their international development.
“Just as much as they’re still learning the game, we’re still learning their capabilities as emerging athletes,” Smith said.
“But even though they’re all different kids on and off the course, we absolutely know that they all have a thirst for knowledge.
“They’ve all shown some great form in the past few months to earn this honour, so we obviously have high hopes they’ll be very competitive once we get to Japan.
“But more important than that is that they take it all in and learn what needs to happen to be successful on the world stage in years to come.”
The tournament, to be played this year on the Ishino Course of the Chukyo Golf Club near Nagoya, is traditionally a great breeding ground for future champions.
It features 15 boys’ teams and nine girls’ teams from around the world and will be played from 18-21 June and the Australian team will sport uniforms featuring new logos.
Golf Australia’s Luke Mackey will also travel with the team as strength and conditioning coach and sports science manager.