On the eve of the 2018 Quad Series, Caitlin Thwaites and Liz Watson have been voted into the Samsung Diamonds leadership group, joining reigning Captain Caitlin Bassett and Vice-Captain Gabi Simpson.
At a pre-series camp in Canberra earlier this week, the Samsung Diamonds squad re-elected Caitlin Bassett and Gabi Simpson to their respective roles and voted to promote Caitlin Thwaites and Liz Watson into the four-person leadership group.
Thwaites has been a member of the Samsung Diamonds squad since 2007 and brings 41 games of Test match experience to the team whilst, Watson has been part of the squad since 2014 and has represented the country on 22 occasions, including during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Samsung Diamonds Head Coach Lisa Alexander says both Thwaites and Watson are fantastic appointments to the leadership group and that both players are very deserving of their positions.
“I’m thrilled to see the players recognise Caitlin and Liz for their efforts both on and off the court,” she said.
“They are two of the most hard-working and dedicated members of our squad and between them they bring a great level of maturity and experience to the group.
“Caitlin and Liz have always been supportive and active contributors to the ‘sisters in arms’ culture of the Diamonds, so it is a natural progression for them to move into these positions in a formal sense – I’m excited to see them be given the opportunity.”
Thwaites is thrilled to be voted into the role by her teammates leading into what will be a very hard-fought International Test Series.
“I’m honoured to have been elected into this leadership group, especially now - it’s such an exciting time for our team,” she said.
“With several retirements this year, we’re a new and evolved squad and it really gives the whole team an opportunity to step up and demonstrate what we’re capable of, especially leading into the World Cup.”
Watson is also honoured to have been voted into the group by her peers and looks forward to working closely with and learning from Bassett and Simpson in her new role.
“It’s a privilege to have been selected by the squad to join both Caitlins and Gabi in this group – I admire how all three girls go about their netball on and off the court and I’m looking forward to learning a lot from them,” she said.
“As a new team with new challenges and new opportunities, we’re excited to get out there on Saturday and kick-off what is going to be a tough International Test Series.”
Both Bassett and Simpson will remain in their roles as Captain and Vice-Captain of the Samsung Diamonds, positions they have both held for just over a year.
The Samsung Diamonds are currently in Auckland preparing for the first match of the Quad Series against South Africa SPAR Proteas taking place at Spark Arena tomorrow.
The match will be broadcast live on 9GEM at 12:00pm AEST.
