CAERLEON teenager Georgia Rowe is all set for Sydney after being named in the 12-strong Wales squad for the Netball World Cup.

Rowe will fly out to Tasmania on July 24 to prepare for the tournament at Sydney’s Olympic Park, which runs from August 7 to August 16.

And having just missed out on selection for last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow the 19-year-old Cardiff Met student can’t wait to experience her first big international tournament.

“I’m so excited. I’ve only been playing for three years so I never expected to even be in this position and to be picked in the final 12 is fantastic,” said the goal shooter.

“It’s a massive thing for me. All my family have been so supportive and they can’t believe it either.

“I feel like I’ve really put in the work and I can’t wait to get to Sydney.

“I was a non-travelling training partner last year for Glasgow 2014 so I just missed out by the skin of my teeth.

“Now finally I’m involved in my first World Cup and I’m so happy.”

The Welsh team finished eighth in Glasgow and head of elite performance Trish Wilcox is targeting a top-eight finish in Sydney.

“I’ve been involved with this team for a few years and the difference in intensity now is dramatic,” said Rowe.

“Trish has made it very clear that every session is going to get harder and harder and I think this team can do really well.

“Our target is the top eight but we’re more focused on our performances rather than the outcome.

“As a team we’re looking for everyone to give 100 per cent and that’s all we can ask.”

Fellow goal shooter Chelsea Lewis, herself only 21, is confident that Rowe can handle the pressure of a World Cup.

“I’ll be there to support her all the way,” said Lewis. “She’s my best friend so it’s exciting for us going over there together.

“I’ll be there by her side but she doesn’t need my help.”

Wales host England in Merthyr on July 8 and have four warm-up matches in Tasmania before group matches against Fiji, Uganda and Zambia, starting on August 7.

“We need to get off to a flying start and victory over Fiji would set us up perfectly for a strong tournament," said Wilcox.

"Although we expect our pool games to present different challenges, we believe they are all within the range of this Welsh team.

“Preparations have been good, there has been huge competition for places and all the girls are looking forward to pitting their skills against the very best netballers in the world.

"Australia have won the world title 10 out of 13 times, and finished second on the other three occasions, so we really are travelling to the home of the No1 ranked playing nation.

"There will be more TV coverage than at any previous Netball World Cup and the profile of the sport is bound to be raised as a result of this tournament.

"We will feed off the amazing energy that will inevitably surround this competition and look to improve our world ranking.”