Chelsea Pitman may be the youngest member of the Australian netball squad but she's certainly not the smallest.
That honour goes to Thumper, a stuffed toy kangaroo with a yellow mohawk that Pitman, as youngest, must care for during the world netball championship in Singapore starting July 3.
With a starring role in her Test debut against New Zealand earlier this month, little Thumper is in very safe hands.
The 23-year-old Queensland Firebirds wing attack impressed national coach Norma Plummer with her performance against the Silver Ferns.
"I just love Pitman's ability to be so cool under pressure," Plummer said.
"She works the ball right and left hand and it's just her physical body strength.
"She brings a lot to the team."
Looking after Thumper could pose as big a challenge as some of Australia's opponents, with Pitman's teammates taking it as their duty to steal it, resulting in a fine.
"I have to take it to team training, official functions ... he has to be attached to me," she said.
"I've now bought a pad-lock for my bag."
Pitman can play goal attack as well as wing attack, with that versatility a vital quality for Plummer.
Before helping the Firebirds to their trans-Tasman title win earlier this year she played for the Canterbury Tactix in 2010, but had to undergo knee surgery mid-season.
Australian skipper Natalie von Bertouch predicted a big world championship from Pitman.
"I think if you look at the New Zealand games we just played Chelsea really stood out and that was her first Test match.
"She's only going to continue to grow."
