THE Australian Diamonds are set to make their maiden Nations Cup appearance against New Zealand, England and Uganda overnight. Australia currently boasts a full trophy cabinet, but it wouldn’t hurt to add another.

This is only the second Nations Cup with the last one taking place in January 2020, hosted by England. Other competitors were Jamaica, South Africa and the eventual winners New Zealand.

This time round, Australia and Uganda join in on the hunt, with the two nations yet to face each other in international netball. Uganda has been on a slow but powerful rise up the netball ranks, sure to be a challenge for the Australians.

Reigning Liz Ellis Diamond Courtney Bruce is stoked to match up against the She Cranes for the first time.

“It’s going to be a really special moment,” she told Rookie Me Central.

“(The team) really spoke about just the privilege that we have to play against Uganda and then to be a part of this series.

“We saw how good they were at the World Cup. Getting a taste of how they play is going to be really exciting.”

The Diamonds are the ones to beat in multiple series. The world number one side has a target on its back and opposing teams are out for vengeance.

Nations such as England and New Zealand want to raise their status and fight over positions in the top three. Whereas Uganda has a point to prove, wanting to perform on the world stage against three of the best netball nations.

“Teams over the years have closed that gap between themselves and us, and teams want to go out there and beat us,” Bruce said.

“There’s that pressure there, but I think that’s also what drives us to continually grow and be better as a collective group.”

The current vibe in the Diamonds camp is similar to a family reunion. Netball is back, but the players are just excited to see and spend time with each other.

“We love spending time together, so we’ve had a really tough training camp, but just love being back together as a group,” Bruce said.

Australia is spoiled with powerful combinations. Every combination has its different strengths. Bruce and Sarah Klau offer a lot of heart and physicality, and Jo Weston and Sunday Aryang are tight one-on-one defenders who constantly grind.

Bruce made 2023 her year, earning defender of the tournament nods for the World Cup and Quad Series. She was acknowledged Player of the Match on three occasions in the World Cup and was named the International Player of the Year for the Diamonds.

In reflection of the year she had, she decided to pack her bags and move East to the Sunshine Coast Lightning to join current and former Diamonds in Cara Koenen, Liz Watson and Steph Fretwell.

“That change of environment and just being somewhere new that’s going to challenge me in a different way was what I was looking for,” Bruce said.

It was a difficult decision to leave her home of 12 years, but Bruce knew if she didn’t make a change now, she would stay at the club she’s called home since she was 16-years-old.

“If I didn’t go now, I’d never go,” she said. “I really do think that the Fever fans, regardless of where I am, will still hopefully give me a lot of love and support,” she said.

The Lightning is where Bruce wants to train herself up to be fit and ready for another cycle and make it to her third World Cup.

She says the main contributor to her move was working under familiar face and current Lightning head coach Belinda Reynolds.

“I’ve known ‘B’ (Belinda Reynolds) since I was a young girl coming through the WA pathway,” Bruce said.

“Being able to tee up with Belinda again and knowing what her strengths are and where her values and her morals lie as a coach, I think that was really key for myself.”

The 30-year-old is already a world class goal keeper, but with the Lightning, it gives her more opportunities to become a world class goal defence. She joins Tara Hinchliffe and Ash Ervin as the trio are all able to play in either circle positions.

Bruce has her eyes on working with youngster Ervin who is becoming a formidable defender against a lot of the taller shooters. Able to play at both ends, Ervin will expect more court time back in keeper, shifting Bruce out front.

Already having established a relationship with Hinchliffe in camps, the versatility between her and Bruce will leave teams not knowing what to expect.

Bruce gives all belief into Fretwell and Hinchliffe leading the Lightning to victory. She’s happy to play her role and do what she’s needed to do at the Sunny Coast. 

“I’m just happy to be there to support the girls. I don’t need a title, I’ll do what I do regardless,” Bruce said.

“I’m just there to support and help out where possible and add a different perspective from an outsider.”

Wanting to challenge herself at the Lightning, Bruce wants to continue the Diamonds legacy.

“The thing I want to do when I leave the sport is make sure that the bits are in a better place than when I received it.”