Diamonds announce squad for 2019 World Cup
AUSTRALIAN coach Lisa Alexander has officially unveiled the Diamonds squad for the 2019 World Cup campaign in July, in what could be considered a changing of the guard from the previous World Cup. Just three players – Caitlin Bassett, Paige Hadley and Caitlin Thwaites were a part of the side that triumphed at the 2015 World Cup, with unlucky omissions including former vice-captain, Gabi Simpson and fellow wing defence, Ash Brazill. Kim Ravaillion also missed out, while Kiera Austin and Emily Mannix were others who were among those who were named in the triumphant Northern Quad Series team earlier this year, but missed out on World Cup selection.
For those in the side, powerful goal shooters, captain Bassett and Thwaites will stand under post, while Steph Wood and Gretel Tippett are the goal attacks. Looking to the midcourt and Kelsey Browne returns to the national team, likely to share court time with regular Liz Watson in wing attack, while Hadley has been impressive in centre this year. Browne could also rotate through centre, as could Jamie-Lee Price who will spend time at wing defence, while April Brandley and Jo Weston are the experience across the wing defence and goal defence. Australian star keeper, Courtney Bruce will start at goal keeper, with Sarah Klau chosen as her back-up for the competition.
Australian Diamonds World Cup squad:
Caitlin Bassett (GIANTS Netball) (c)
April Brandley (Collingwood Magpies)
Kelsey Browne (Collingwood Magpies)
Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever)
Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts)
Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts)
Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball)
Caitlin Thwaites (Melbourne Vixens)
Gretel Tippett (Queensland Firebirds)
Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens) (vc)
Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens)
Steph Wood (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
The preliminary stage one of the World Cup runs from Friday, July 12 until Sunday, July 14, with Australia taking on Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. The reigning competition holders are not expected to run into any difficulties in the group stage, while the Diamonds will prepare to meet rivals New Zealand in the second stage, along with two of Malawi, Barbados or Singapore. From there, the top two teams in Group F – expected to be Australia and New Zealand, will go through to the semi-finals, where the top placed team faces the second placed team from the other half of the draw and vice-versa. With three genuine chances to make the semi-finals in the other half of the draw, one of Jamaica, South Africa or England will miss out on the semi-finals. Of course the two winners of the semi-finals then advance through to the decider, while the losing semi-finalists playoff for bronze.
Corey’s colossal career only growing year on year
IRISH midcourt star Corey McGlynn may only be in her early-20s, but has packed a lot into her young netball career. McGlynn’s journey started as a teenager out in Leicestershire, England. Now playing in England’s Prem 1 competition, she has progressed through the English pathway and played in the underage teams at both Loughborough Lightning […]
Multi-talented mid honored to pull on Emerald dress
IRISH midcourter Seren Redmond has a tale like many of her Irish teammates, but also does not. Although born in the United Kingdom, her Irish grandfather gave her eligibility to represent the Republic, and as someone who grew up very immersed in Irish culture, she took up that opportunity. It is this upbringing that makes […]
Determined Duffy a role model for all
IRELAND netball captain Fran Duffy has seen a lot in her decade in the national team. Although netball may not be top of the popularity pecking order in the Emerald Isle, Duffy says that things are tracking in the right direction. “I think I’ve always, I’ve been playing for Ireland for nearly 10 years now […]
Iongi proud to wear the red and white amongst family
GROWING up in Australia, Kelea Iongi went with the status quo and followed the top three nations in Australia, New Zealand and England. She was a Diamonds support through and through. It wasn’t until Iongi started to become more familiar with her heritage where her focus shifted more towards representing Tonga at an international level. […]
The full circle path of a trail blazing Emerald
YOUNG Irish star Niamh O’Leary has experienced first hand how frustrating it can be to represent your country in a sport in the middle of the popularity pecking order like netball is in Ireland. With netball lagging behind several other sports like rugby, Gaelic football and hurling in terms of media coverage and funding, O’Leary […]
Stats Deep Dive – Nations Cup 2024
LAST weekend saw the 2024 Netball Nations Cup finish up and Australia win the crown yet again. But what do the stats tell us about how the four day tournament unfolded? Let us take a deep dive into some of the more crucial stats from the tournament and see what interesting information can be found. […]
Silver Ferns finish the Nations Cup with pride
NEW Zealand have come away with a bronze medal at the Nations Cup after a five-goal win over Uganda overnight, 62-57. From the first goal, Amorangi Malesala (11 goals and 10 goal assists) looked cool, calm and collected in only her second test for the Silver Ferns. She was carving up the attack end with […]
England folds under pressure as Australia continues dominance
THE Australian Diamonds brought the England Roses back down to earth with a dominant 20-goal victory in the Nations Cup final overnight, 69-49. Australia’s pure grit and determination to get over the line prevailed, looking like a well oiled machine from the get-go. Once the Diamonds got a sniff at a lead, they never let […]
Nail biter nabs England a chance at glory
ENGLAND is through to the 2024 Nations Cup final after a narrow 58-57 win over New Zealand this morning. It was tight and hard fought for most of the match, with the winner not determined until the final seconds. A crucial turnover from Razia Quashie helped England to get out to a quick start, and […]
