WITH COVID-19 still holding up much of the sporting world, we will take a look at some Australian names that are making waves overseas, starting with New South Wales born goaler, Kim Commane.

A handy past player for the NSW Swifts (ANZ Championship), Melbourne Vixens and through various Victorian netball pathways, Commane was thrown back into the netball ring in 2018 when Vixens goaler Mwai Kumwenda went down with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, giving Commane an opportunity to rejoin the national league for the first time since 2016 – when she was an injury replacement for Tegan Philip. While being an injury replacement has its downfalls, Commane took it upon herself to make it clear why she deserves a spot on the court and, though it was the final match of the Suncorp Super Netball season, it saw clubs overseas in the Vitality Netball Superleague take notice of her shooting prowess with new and exciting international opportunities coming to fruition.

The goal shooter joined Team Bath for the 2019 season, making an immediate impact. The crafty goaler well and truly cemented her spot in the side, teaming up with the likes of Serena Guthrie, Eboni Usoro-Brown and plenty of other key names, having the ball on a platter for much of the successful season which saw Bath take home the bronze. Commane made herself a key cog in the defensively minded side, transitioning the ball into attack with ease and creating a formidable option at the post with her height, strength and accuracy, using her experience and game smarts to work her way around the goal circle. She collected the Team Bath Players’ Player and Coaches’ Awards in 2019, won multiple match ‘most valued player’ awards and was named Fan Favourite for the season.

Looking towards the 2020 season, Commane once more signed with Team Bath and was named captain this season, leading the new-look side as they hope to go one step further in 2020. Team Bath won its first three rounds before the competition was postponed, sitting in second on the ladder – but having played one less match than its ladder leading rivals and 2019 premiers, Manchester Thunder.  

Commane has impressed on the stats sheet again this season with 137 goals at 92 per cent from just the three appearances and the one turnover to her name. With a never-say-die attitude and a constant drive to improve, Commane is one to watch with plenty left in the tank thanks to her cleanliness and ability to get the job done under pressure.

Commane wrote a preseason Player Diary on the BiG Showdown, which you can read here.