Kayla Cullen

Kayla Cullen takes her place in the Silver Ferns team for the first time after a sensational 12 months.

The versatile Cullen has built on an impressive pedigree in netball, progressing through the New Zealand Secondary School ranks and the NZU21squad.

Thrown in at the defensive deep end with the Mystics this year after originally being signed on as a shooter, Cullen capped an outstanding season by becoming a first choice starter and scooping the 2011 ANZ Championship Best Young Player award.

Hints of her undoubted talent were highlighted when the teenager was part of the New Zealand team which successfully defended the World FastNet title last year minus their Silver Ferns.

A rangy defender, Cullen is quick on her feet and possesses an instinctive ability to read the intercept.