National netball coach Melissa Walker has improved the Under-21's World rankings from 13th position in 2005 to 9th in the World Youth Championships in the Cook Islands last month.

Walker is confident she can also better the performance of the National team, to defend the Gold medal they won in Samoa in 2007, at the Mini Games this month.

Walker said that despite top goal shooters, Taraima Rara and Cecilia Sorby pulling out for personal reasons, she still has enough back-up players.