The current Diamonds’ squad will gather at the Netball Australia Centre of Excellence in Canberra this Sunday for a two-day Squad Camp, as the team begins preparations for the International Netball Super Series and Constellation Cup.
Diamonds’ Coach Lisa Alexander said, “Although this is a short and sharp Squad Camp, it is a critical moment for us to check in with our athletes as a group.”
National Support Staff will work closely with athletes across all areas, including specialist coaching, sports science, physiotherapy and wellbeing.
“Our Support Staff and I work closely with ANZ Championship franchises across the year, and it’s a credit to our Member Organisations that we can seamlessly continue their hard work in a National setting.
“It’s all hands on deck, as we continue preparations for our 2016 International Test Matches,” explained Alexander.
The Squad Camp will provide an opportunity for younger squad members to learn from the more experienced Diamonds.
“Our younger athletes will spend time with our more experienced athletes, learning expected behaviours in our high performance environment.
“These athletes will play an integral part of our Diamonds’ program in our new cycle in preparation to and during these marquee events.
“It’s an exciting time for netball, with the announcement of a new broadcaster and national netball league, however we’ve got our eyes up ahead, looking towards the Commonwealth Games Gold Coast 2018, in front of our home crowd,” Alexander said.
The squad will have also the opportunity to review the Diamonds’ team trademark of ‘sisters in arms’ and values with Leading Teams.
Lisa Alexander and National Selectors have invited three athletes to attend the camp, Queensland Firebirds midcourter Caitlyn Nevins, NSW Swifts defender Maddy Turner and West Coast Fever defender Courtney Bruce. The three invitees will provide additional support during the camp.
National Selectors will name the Diamonds 2016/17 Squad in August.
Diamonds camp attendees: Karyn Bailey (VIC/Melbourne Vixens), Caitlin Bassett (WA/West Coast Fever), Erin Bell (NSW/Adelaide Thunderbirds), April Brandley (nee Letton) ( NSW/West Coast Fever), Ashleigh Brazill (NSW/West Coast Fever), Courtney Bruce (invitee) (WA/West Coast Fever), Laura Geitz (QLD/Queensland Firebirds), Paige Hadley (NSW/NSW Swifts), Sharni Layton (VIC/NSW Swifts), Clare McMeniman (QLD/Queensland Firebirds), Caitlyn Nevins (invitee)(VIC/Queensland Firebirds), Susan Pettitt (ACT/NSW Swifts), Kim Ravaillion (NSW/Queensland Firebirds), Madi Robinson (VIC/Melbourne Vixens), Gabi Simpson (NSW/Queensland Firebirds), Caitlin Thwaites (VIC/NSW Swifts), Gretel Tippett (QLD/Queensland Firebirds), Maddy Turner (invitee)(SA/NSW Swifts), Liz Watson (VIC/Melbourne Vixens), Khao Watts (SA/Adelaide Thunderbirds), Jo Weston (VIC/Melbourne Vixens), Stephanie Wood (QLD/NSW Swifts).
Absent squad members: Nat Medhurst (WA/West Coast Fever) (granted leave), Tegan Phillip (VIC/Melbourne Vixens)(injured – ACL), Kristiana Manu’a (granted leave).
NETBALL AUSTRALIA
