MADDY Proud will captain Australia in a four-nation 21 and under international netball series in Ballarat.
Netball Australia announced her appointment today.
Gabi Simpson is vice-captain.
Proud and Simpson were unveiled as the on-court leaders at a coaching clinic at Buninyong Primary School.
Proud from South Australia is one of the Australian squad's most experienced players.
The 18-year-old has spent two seasons with Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Trans-Tasman championship, playing as an under-study in the mid-court to Australian Diamonds captain Natalie von Bertouch.
Proud is just one of three players in the squad in Ballarat who were part of the Australian team which meet New Zealand in a three-game series last year.
Simpson is from New South Wales and attends the Australian Institute of Sport.
Australia, New Zealand, England and Samoa are taking part in the seven-day series in Ballarat, which begins on Thursday night.
The round-robin is a major lead-up event to next year's world youth titles in Scotland.