Deep dive: Courtney Bruce

By Stephanie Smarrelli

Arguably the world’s best defender, Courtney Bruce is a force to be reckoned with. 

And 2023 marked one of her best years on court. 

On the international stage she averaged five gains and three intercepts a match, with her run of incredible form starting at January’s Quad Series in Cape Town.  

Eighteen gains and nine intercepts across the series, Bruce was unfazed by the pressure of her opponents, which included some of the world's best shooters.  

The 30-year-old was named the Defender of the Series for her performance throughout January. 

Bruce continued to build as the year wore on with a strong performance throughout the Suncorp Super Netball season giving her the momentum to strike again at the Netball World Cup. 

Having been part of the 2019 Netball World Cup side that finished with a silver medal, Bruce had unfinished business alongside the rest of the Diamonds cohort heading into the tournament. 

At World Netball's most prestigious event, Bruce delivered again. 

Taking 23 intercepts throughout the tournament and 36 deflections, Bruce put the world on notice.  

She hit the court running against Zimbabawe in match one with seven gains and four intercepts in a half of netball.  

Bruce stood tall again against Tonga with six intercepts and three gains.  

Rounding out the first stage of the tournament Bruce dominated against Fiji with 11 gains and eight intercepts.  

She continued to be a force to be reckoned with at the World Cup with six gains and three intercepts against Scotland before the Origin Diamonds took on Malawi. 

Against Malawi, Bruce continued to be influential tallying up four gains and one intercept against Joyce Mvula.  

The competition intensified when the Diamonds went head-to-head with England in the final game before finals. 

Bruce donned the goal defence bib against Suncorp Super Netball opponents Helen Housby and Eleanor Cardwell. 

Bruce did everything possible to stem the flow of goals from England but the Australian side fell short by a goal putting them into a semi-final against Jamaica. 

Up against her West Coast Fever teammate Jhaniele Fowler, Bruce kicked back into gear.  

Bruce was prolific with four gains and two intercepts, the defender challenged Fowler and the Jamaicans every second of the match. 

The Diamonds’ hard work paid off with the side winning by three for their opportunity at World Cup gold. 

Both the England Roses and Origin Diamonds went into the gold medal match fiercely determined to win. 

The Diamonds learned their lessons from their previous meeting and it showed with the side pulling away following a tight first quarter. 

Bruce and the side ignited and controlled the rest of the match convincingly to finish business. 

The defender wore Housby and Cardwell like a glove to wear down the Roses bit by bit as the match progressed. 

Wary of the Roses’ ability to turn a game, Bruce went to another level in the final quarter with five gains and one intercept, the defender acting as insurance that the Roses would not be able to mount a comeback to steal the trophy.

With the World Cup trophy in hand at the end of the match, Bruce finished business and took home another accolade being named the Defender of the Tournament.  

Reflecting on the World Cup Bruce was thankful for her teammates.  

“The World Cup win was incredible, that loss to England was devastating but the best thing about this group is how we bounce back,” Bruce said.  

“To get that win and quite convincingly over England in the end was super special and to do it with the bunch of girls that I got to do it with was so special.” 

With netball's most pinnacle event under her belt it would've been easy for Bruce to ease off during the back half of the year but the defender continued to storm. 

Throughout the Constellation Cup and South Africa Series Bruce accumulated 23 gains and 12 intercepts against New Zealand and South Africa.  

Bruce was acknowledged for her outstanding year at the 2023 Australian Netball Awards with the defender receiving netball's highest honour the Liz Ellis Diamond as well as being named the Australian International Player of the Year.

Bruce was grateful to be named the 2023 Liz Ellis Diamond, capping off a fantastic year.  

"It is absolutely crazy to win,” Bruce said.  

"Not many people see the hard work that we put in behind the scenes to get to perform every day.  

"This award is so special considering the bunch of athletes currently playing in Australia. I am so grateful to spend the time I do with my teams and to treasure the memories on and off the court."