BARDEN twins Bernadette and Eliza will represent Australia in July at the Global Games in the Czech Republic, but had contrasting reactions when they learnt of their selection.

The Orange girls are the youngest players on the open Australian team, known as the Pearls, and they will compete at the multi-sport International Federation of Sports for the Intellectually Disabled event.

This is Bernadette’s first selection in the Pearls team and she is ecstatic about the call-up.

Eliza helped Australia to silver last year at the World Cup in Rome and is more demure about the news.

“I was excited because I didn’t get to go to Rome last year,” Bernadette said.

“Eliza went to Rome and I was excited, but Eliza was just ‘I’m in the team again’ and I was jumping up and down.

“It’s a big thing deep down but we like to hide it a little bit.”

Playing for the Pearls has been a goal of the Bardens for three years and they now get the chance to wear the green and gold together at open level.

The 16-year-olds have been groomed for this occasion since they were 13 and look set for long international careers.

They will travel to Liberac in the Czech Republic in July, where they will compete against five other nations from July 5-14.

Last year’s silver at the World Cup sees Australia seeded second for the tournament and they are in a pool with Poland and France.

The Pearls team is primarily made up of Melbourne-based players, with the Bardens the only country players selected.

They have a training camp in Melbourne on July 1-2 and this will be the one and only time they can familiarise themselves with their new team-mates.

Selection trials and playing each other at nationals gives the Bardens some knowledge of their team-mates - and Bernadette thinks they have a formidable squad.

“The team is extremely strong,” she said.

“We’ve got two six-foot players and we’re all pretty good.

“We’ve got some weaknesses but then we’ve got more (strengths).”

Orange’s Mitch Mavrak will also represent Australia at the Global Games in Liberac, as he was selected in the men’s team earlier this year.