Fawns' trajectory towards a career at the highest level reached another checkpoint on Friday when she was named in the 26-strong Australian under 19 squad for 2021-22.

It follows on from Fawns' selection in the under 17 squad for the past two years and came as a nice confidence boost after surviving a cull that takes place heading into the under 19s.

"It's very exciting. I'm very happy," Fawns said.

"I actually found out the Monday of (last) week and had to keep it confidential until Friday. I even forgot it was coming out on Friday so I was a bit shocked when I had these congratulations messages coming through.

"It's something I was aiming for, especially because in the under 19s, that's when they start to cut a lot of girls. They go from a minimum of two from each state to one so it's pretty exciting to be in it again."

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It has been somewhat of a difficult time to be progressing through the ranks as a promising athlete with the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions cancelling a lot of the traditional pathways.

But Fawns' selection in the under 19 Australian squad, particularly when she is not 18 until November, reinforces she is headed in the 'right direction'.

"Yeah definitely, especially the last two years without nationals. It's a bit hard to judge in that pathway where you might be sitting but yeah the Aussie squad is definitely a good confidence boost that I'm heading in the right direction," she said.

As part of selection in the squad, Fawns will attend a training camp in December.

It comes on the back of a busy period for the 17-year-old Kooringal High School student, who is in the middle of completing year 12.

Fawns plans to move to Sydney next year to attend university as well as continue to strive to play netball at the highest level.

"I'll hopefully move up to Sydney to pursue netball because that's where my netball life is," she said.

"I'm hoping to end up at the Swifts in next few years and looking for a contract but obviously that's some time away yet because I'm so young and have lots of development still."

The Swifts have been keeping a close eye on Fawns through their academy, while she has also spent stints training with the open squad.

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