Diamond day for NSWIS netball players

Three NSWIS netball athletes have been named in the Australian Diamonds team ahead of the inaugural Netball Quad Series against the England Roses, New Zealand Silver Ferns and South African Proteas.

Beginning on August 27 in New Zealand, the Aussies will play games in Adelaide on August 31 and Melbourne on September 4 in a tournament they will hope begins building the foundations for a successful Gold Coast Commonwealth Games bid in 2018.

Among the NSWIS athletes included was versatile shooter Stephanie Wood, who has been named in the team following a strong ANZ championship season. Wood travelled as a trainer partner for the Diamonds on their Tour of England in January.

Also named on the team was NSW Swifts sharp shooter Caitlin Thwaites, who just days ago was a part of an electrifying ANZ Championship Grand Final where she shot 34 from 41 to keep the Swifts in the hunt for victory against the Queensland Firebirds.

The final NSWIS player named on the team for the Netball Quad Series was Sharni Layton, who like Thwaites was an integral player in Sunday’s grand final. Layton rattled Firebirds shooter Romelda Aiken during the decider, her tenacious defence no doubt in hot demand for the Diamonds in their upcoming encounters.

In addition to the team named for the Quad Series, Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander and national selectors Anne Sargeant and Michelle Wilkins have also named an 18-player squad, which they will use to select an Australian team for next month’s Constellation Cup.

Joining Wood, Thwaites and Layton in the Diamonds squad are fellow NSWIS athletes Paige Hadley and Susan Pettitt.

Top of mind for coach Alexander in her squad selection was athlete wellbeing and longevity, with an eye toward success at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

“All 18 players selected in the squad have performed with excellence this year,” said Alexander.

“With less than two years until the Commonwealth Games, our priority is managing athlete wellbeing and building our squad, ensuring those who need a break are rested, and those that require international experience are provided with opportunities,” she said.

The first game of the Diamonds Quad Series campaign will be at Vector Arena in Auckland on Saturday August 27. Games at Adelaide Entertainment Centre (Agust 31) and two games on Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne (September 4) will follow.

NSWIS athletes named to the Australian Diamonds Squad 2016/17 
Name (state of origin/ANZ Championship team)
Athletes identified with an * have been selected in the Diamonds team for the Quad Series.

Paige Hadley (New South Wales, NSW Swifts)
Sharni Layton (Victoria, NSW Swifts)*
Susan Pettitt (New South Wales, NSW Swifts)
Caitlin Thwaites (Victoria, NSW Swifts)*
Stephanie Wood (Queensland, NSW Swifts)*