Kitchen To Lead New Zealand Attack

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Shelley Kitchen will lead the New Zealand team in next month's Women's World Team Championships in Canada.

The four-strong line-up, announced by Squash New Zealand, features three experienced campaigners and one new face.

Kitchen, the world No13, plus 32nd-ranked Jaclyn Hawkes and 49th-ranked Louise Crome have retained their places in the side, having also represented New Zealand at the 2004 World Championships in Amsterdam.

The fourth member is Waikato teenager Joelle King, one of the rising stars of New Zealand squash. The 17-year-old is currently ranked 114 in the world, but has been as high as 76. King will make her senior representative debut, although she already has World Championship experience, having led the junior women's team at last year's event in Belgium.

There is certainly no doubting the young star's pedigree. If sport is in the blood, Joelle King could well be destined for the top. Her father Paul was a Junior Kiwi rugby league representative, while her brother Regan played for the All Blacks in 2002. She also has the benefit of having former world number one Carol Owens as her personal coach.

The 2006 Women's World Team Championships are in Edmonton, Canada, from 24-30 September.