Like any parent, Julie Seymour was exceptionally proud when her daughter Josie became the 100^th player to represent the New Zealand U21s at a Netball World Youth Cup.

But it was also a full-circle moment when Josie took the court in New Zealand’s defence during their 74-47 win over the Cook Islands in Gibraltar on Sunday – the team’s first hit-out of this World Cup.

Julie, now the NZ U21 coach, was also the captain of the first New Zealand team to win a Netball World Youth Cup title back in 1992.

“I’m very proud of my daughter,” Julie said. “I've seen how hard she’s worked and I'm also very grateful that Josie can create her own netball journey and memories. I know how much I treasured and enjoyed my experience at a World Youth Cup, and I hope Josie enjoys hers just as much.”

For the first time, Netball New Zealand has issued numbers to all those who have played at a World Youth Cup for New Zealand – with captains and vice captains ranked first, then the rest listed alphabetically by surname as they were known at the time.

Player #1 is Ana Noovao, the captain of the 1988 New Zealand team, who went on to captain the Silver Ferns. A total of 54 players – including this year’s captain Amelia Walmsley – have also played for the Silver Ferns.

The list features many household names – Yvette McCausland-Durie #15 (who was also New Zealand coach in 2009), Temepara Bailey #24, Laura Langman #46, Phoenix Karaka #72, and Maia Wilson #90, among them.

Julie Seymour, (née Dawson), was player #11 in the winning NZ U21 team at the 1992 tournament in Fiji – beating Australia in a final made famous when the lights went out, plunging the court into darkness for 20 minutes.

“Obviously winning was amazing,” she says of that 44-40 final victory. “Australia had looked so fast and strong when we had watched them during the earlier games and I don't think I really believed we could match them.

“But the connections we established as a team were so special – even to this day I feel a special connection to that group of players and management.”

Julie recalls the sweltering conditions, outdoor courts, the basic accommodation, most of the team struck with food poisoning before the tournament even began – and the blackout in the final. “I remember wondering what they would do if they couldn't fix them. It was in the last quarter, and the score was very close. I definitely didn't want to start again the next day!”

When Josie Seymour played at wing defence and goal defence against the Cook Islands on Sunday night (NZ time), her head coach was able to put aside her pride until after the game.

“To be honest, I’ve coached Josie for a long time, so we are very used to the dynamic as coach/athlete,” she says. “When I'm coaching Josie, I treat her as I would treat any other player – but also the way I like to coach is to establish a close connection with the players. This is a great group of players and I'd be happy to have any of them as my daughters!”

New Zealand has won the Netball World Youth Cup in 1992, 2005, 2013 and 2017 (equal with Australia on four titles).

“There’s been an enormous amount of preparation time behind the scenes from everybody involved to get to this point,” Julie Seymour says.

“We feel very proud to be representing our country, our families and our communities. So many people have helped both our players and management get to this point – from coaches, physios, trainers, schools, clubs and zones – and we can't thank them enough. I know this will be a hugely valuable netball experience for all these players.”

New Zealand now have two wins on the scoreboard, after Zambia forfeited in their opening game. Their next pool match is against Malaysia at 5am on Wednesday (NZ time).