By Sarah Burt
Courtney Bruce will never forget the first time she received the Diamonds call up.
Not just because it was a pivotal moment in her life, but because she was in a remote little town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
"We had to find reception because I knew I had my call was coming through," she said.
“I was definitely not expecting it (to be selected). It was overwhelming and a bit surreal.”
That phone call was back in 2016, ancient history for the veteran defender who made her debut during the 2017 International Quad Series.
Having been part of the side that won silver in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Bruce is confident in both her development as a player but also on a personal level, to be able to take things that one step further this time around.
“The experience as a whole was obviously super exciting” she said.
“To play a home Commonwealth Games, for it to be my first and to have lots of family and friends there was great, but I was still very young then and I think I had a lot to learn, so getting that silver medal hurt a lot.
“Not many people get to go to a Commonwealth Games and I’m extremely grateful that I had that opportunity. I know when we got that silver, we said we were going to wear silver better than anyone’s ever worn silver before.”
THE BIG MOMENTS
Bruce is refreshingly candid about her development since 2018.
“I was young in my diamonds experience and still had a lot to learn about playing big games and big moments and it was a learning curve," she said.
“I remember coming home from the Gold Coast and doing a lot of work with our psychologist on that.
“Up to that point here in the west we hadn’t played many finals or had much success so I just didn’t have the experience.
Courtney Bruce said her parents are her biggest fans.“But the last four years have prepared me to be who I am as a player on the court but also being able to balance that with who I am as a person.”
Bruce said the key is to return to basics, like she “tells little kids all the time.”
“It’s just not putting too much pressure on myself and enjoying the moment," she said.
“I really do believe you play your best netball when you’re having fun and enjoying yourself.”
On her selection into the Birmingham 2022 Squad, she said the excitement and relief doesn’t fade with time.
“I cried a lot, for me the last two years have been absolutely huge and no matter how well you plan or if you've been in the Diamonds for a long time, those phone calls can be extremely daunting so to hear Stacey say that I’d been selected, I just absolutely broke down," she said.
BRUCE'S CANDID CONFESSION
Bruce's dad is her “biggest supporter” and a Suncorp Super Netball "nerd" so she rang him straight away.
Her mum, she said, is “just a really supportive person in the crowd".
"They (parents) absolutely love coming to watch. Mum's the reason my sister and I both started playing netball," Bruce explained.
The veteran defender will never forget the first time she got the Diamonds call up.That start wasn’t love at first sight for Bruce who said she initially "hated netball" when her and her sister went down to the local recreation centre in Southern River, Perth.
“I was a really shy kid, so I actually really didn’t want to play but mum forced me," she said.
After some deal brokering with her parents, Bruce dropped the game and continued with athletics instead, but it would seem fate had cast its dye.
“Mum and dad were worried I was too shy, so they wanted me to play netball with my school friends in high school, and then it was just all a bit of a blur from that point on," she said.
On whether their plan was successful, Bruce said she’ll give them this one.
“It's definitely made me more confident in my voice and in who I am as a person," she said.
“I’ve definitely found that place where I feel really included, safe and comfortable and it’s allowed me to be who I want to be.
“The best thing about netball is that you get to play with some of your best mates and women that want to empower each other - in (West Coast) Fever and in Diamonds land.
"I’ve got some amazing people around me. The sport just attracts great people that allow you to grow."
One of those "amazing people" is Bruce's Fever teammate Sunday Aryang.
Bruce echoes what the rest of Australia is thinking with the inclusion of Aryang to the Diamonds side.
Courtney Bruce said she has had the pleasure of watching teammate Sunday Aryang flourish.
“I’ve had the pleasure of watching her literally grow up, as she’s only 21. She’s phenomenal, she’s only going to get better which is absolutely crazy to think, it’s been really nice having her in that environment and having another West Aussie with me," Bruce said.
“Just watching her go from strength to strength and gaining confidence in her own abilities and finding her voice, it’s been nice to sit back at times and watch her absolutely flourish.”
And as game one of the Commonwealth Games edges closer, Bruce is confident in her approach.
“The best part about this group is something that Stacey has really driven," she said.
“It’s making sure that we are looking after the human first and supporting each other off the court and then we will do some phenomenal things on the court.”
ABOUT COURTNEY
Name: Courtney Bruce
Positions: GK, GD
Game day pump up song: Anything by Taylor Swift
Game day breakfast: Smashed avocado and poached eggs
