Queensland Firebirds defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran and NSW Swifts midcourter Maddy Proud have been elevated to the 2022-23 Origin Australian Diamonds squad.
In Bakewell Doran’s first full season with the Firebirds, the 23-year-old is making a significant impact across all defensive measures and is proving a challenge to opposition.
Proud, 28, returns to the Diamonds squad after showing her ability as an effective, high-volume feeder with consistency and her relentless defence.
The squad is selected by Origin Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich and national selectors Anne Sargeant OAM and Michelle Wilkins.
“We have continued to review the performances of players across the Suncorp Super Netball season and in doing so we are happy to confirm that Maddy Proud and Ruby Bakewell-Doran have been included in the Origin Australian Diamonds squad,” Marinkovich said.
“We have been really pleased with how Maddy responded to feedback and adapted those learning across both the WA and C positions.
“Maddy has consistently demonstrated dominant performances against a variety of opposition and her level of execution has continued to rise. We feel her attributes will add to the midcourt within the squad.
“Ruby has been a consistent ball getter across the Suncorp Super Netball competition. We have now had time to see her against multiple opposition and she has been able to hold the standard she brought early in the season.
“Ruby is an exciting talent, and we believe her attack on the ball and footwork will contribute to the depth of our defence within squad.”
The 2022 Commonwealth Games team of 12 athletes will be selected from the Diamonds squad, as well as three reserve athletes.
The Diamonds were crowned champions at the Netball Quad Series in January and are ranked world number one ahead of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games from July 29 to August 9.
