Netball Australia can today confirm the 12 athletes selected for the Samsung Australian Diamonds team to compete in the upcoming 2018 Quad Series and Constellation Cup this September and October in Australia and New Zealand.
Nine of the selected athletes featured during Australia’s Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games campaign and will be the nucleus of a high quality group, which will welcome three new faces.
In preparation for next year’s Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England, the team will be focused on delivering success in the International Test Series against traditional rivals New Zealand, England and South Africa.
Centre court player Kelsey Browne is the only addition to the initial 17-strong 2018/19 Diamonds squad announced last month.
Diamonds Head Coach, Lisa Alexander said she is really pleased with the balance and composition of the team.
“The national selectors Michelle Wilkins, Annie Sargeant and myself believe this is a team that will build on the lessons learnt, grow and deliver winning performances.
“We have highly talented athletes who understand the pressures of international netball and, with an injection of new faces that have stood up in Suncorp Super Netball at key moments, we are confident we have the right mix to compete against any style of netball.
“Kelsey [Browne] is a prime example. We had our eye on her and it was extremely exciting to see her flourish during the SSN finals series. It will be a quick learning curve when she gets into camp, but we believe she is ready to make the step up and have an impact for the Diamonds.
“We know there is a lot of flexibility in the team and this was something we were conscious of, with such a short preparation window. We are also focused on getting the combinations right ahead of the World Cup, so based on performances across the Quad Series we won’t hesitate to change the 12 if that is warranted.
“We’re working with a very strong squad and this highlights the depth of Australian netball,” Alexander said.
The national selectors have announced the one team at this stage to compete in both the 2018 Quad Series and Constellation Cup.
To enhance the transition of emerging talent to the Diamonds squad, the national selectors have nominated two Diamonds training partners, Kiera Austin and Kim Jenner, to attend the pre-departure camp in September.
The Diamonds will start their Quad Series campaign on 15 September against the South African Spar Proteas in Auckland before coming-up against the England Roses in Newcastle on 19 September, for the first time since the Commonwealth Games gold medal match.
The Diamonds last game in Australia will take place in Townsville, hosting an international netball game for the first time against the New Zealand Silver Ferns on 10 October.
2018 Australian Diamonds Quad Series and Constellation Cup Team:
- Caitlin Bassett – Western Australia
- April Brandley – New South Wales
- Kelsey Browne – Victoria
- Courtney Bruce – Western Australia
- Emily Mannix – Victoria
- Kimberley Ravaillion – New South Wales
- Gabi Simpson – New South Wales
- Caitlin Thwaites – Victoria
- Gretel Tippett – Queensland
- Liz Watson – Victoria
- Jo Weston – Victoria
- Stephanie Wood – Queensland
2018 Diamonds Training Partners (September 2018 Camp)
- Kiera Austin - New South Wales
- Kim Jenner – Queensland
2018/19 Australian Diamonds Squad (Will be involved in the September pre-departure camp)
- Jessica Anstiss – Western Australia
- Caitlin Bassett - Western Australia
- April Brandley – New South Wales
- Kelsey Browne - Victoria
- Courtney Bruce – Western Australia
- Sarah Klau – South Australia
- Emily Mannix - Victoria
- Kate Moloney - Victoria
- Tegan Philip - Victoria
- Jamie-Lee Price – New South Wales
- Kim Ravaillion – New South Wales
- Gabi Simpson – New South Wales
- Caitlin Thwaites - Victoria
- Gretel Tippett - Queensland
- Liz Watson - Victoria
- Jo Weston – Victoria
- Stephanie Wood – Queensland
