Australia national netball team
{{Short description|National netball team}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox national netball team
| country = Australia
| image = Australian diamonds logo.png
| imagesize = 200px
| caption =
| nickname = Diamonds
| association = Netball Australia
| confederation =
| coach = Stacey Marinkovich
| asst coach = Nicole Richardson
| manager =
| captain = Liz Watson
| vice-captain = Patricia Tran
| caps = Liz Ellis (122)
| top scorer =
| rank = 1
| kitlabel1 =
| body1 = #FFEF00
| pattern_b1 =
| skirt1 = #FFEF00
| pattern_sk1 =
| kitlabel2 =
| body2 = #2E8B57
| pattern_b2 =
| skirt2 = #2E8B57
| pattern_sk2 =
| first game = {{nb-rt|Australia}} 40 – 11 {{nb|New Zealand}}
Royal Park, Melbourne, 20 August 1938
| largest win = {{nb-rt|Australia}} 113 - 12 {{nb|Singapore}}
Sydney, 5 July 1991
| largest loss = {{nb-rt|New Zealand}} 61 - 36 {{nb|Australia}}
The Trusts Arena, 29 October 2005
| WNC apps = 16
| WNC debut = 1963
| WNC prev = 2023
| WNC recent = 1st
| WNC titles = 12
| CWG apps = 7
| CWG debut = 1998
| CWG prev = 2022
| CWG recent = 1st
| CWG best = First (1998, 2002, 2014, 2022)
}}
The Australia national netball team, also known as the Australian Diamonds, represent Netball Australia in international netball tournaments such as the Netball World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, the Constellation Cup, the Netball Quad Series and the Fast5 Netball World Series. They have also represented Australia at the World Games. Australia made their Test debut in 1938. As of 2023, Australia have been World champions on 12 occasions and Commonwealth champions on 4 occasions. They are regularly ranked number one in the World Netball Rankings.
History
===Early years===
On 20 August 1938, at Royal Park, Melbourne, Australia defeated New Zealand 40–11. This was the first netball Test between Australia and New Zealand. It was also the world's first international netball match. The Australia team included Lorna McConchie and the umpires included Anne Clark.{{Cite web|url=https://diamonds.netball.com.au/history|title=Australian Netball Team – Our History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428230349/https://diamonds.netball.com.au/history|archive-date=28 April 2021|accessdate=7 July 2021|publisher=diamonds.netball.com.au}}{{cite web|url=https://nsw.netball.com.au/netball-nsw-hall-fame|title=Netball NSW Hall of Fame|publisher=nsw.netball.com.au|accessdate=9 January 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://diamonds.netball.com.au/player/lorna-mcconchie|title=Lorna McConchie|publisher=diamonds.netball.com.au|accessdate=31 January 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Other/Women_Tests_1938.html|title=Women Netball International Tests Matches 1938|publisher=www.todor66.com|accessdate=1 February 2021}} Australia were due to tour New Zealand in 1940. However the tour was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War II. In 1948, an Australia team eventually toured New Zealand for the first time, winning all three test matches. The Australia team included Myrtle Craddock.{{Cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Other/Women_Tests_1948.html|title=Women Netball International Tests Matches 1948|publisher=www.todor66.com|accessdate=27 January 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://diamonds.netball.com.au/player/myrtle-craddock|title=Myrtle Craddock|publisher=diamonds.netball.com.au|accessdate=27 January 2021}} In 1956, with a team coached by McConchie and captained by Pat McCarthy, Australia toured England, Scotland and Ceylon. During the tour Australia played their first tests against Ceylon, Scotland and England.{{Cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Other/Women_Tests_1956.html|title=Women Netball International Tests Matches 1956|publisher=www.todor66.com|accessdate=1 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/sg/1956.html|title=1956 Australian Netball Team|publisher=www.womenaustralia.info|accessdate=1 February 2021}}
=Rivalry with New Zealand=
One of Australia's main rivals in international netball is New Zealand. Between 1963 and 2015, the two teams dominated the World Netball Championships and Commonwealth Games tournaments. Since 2010 the two teams have also competed for the Constellation Cup. Notable and memorable clashes have included the finals of the 1991, 1999 and 2011 World Netball Championships, the finals of the 2010 and the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the final match of the 2013 Constellation Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://sahof.org.au/award-winner/australian-netball-team/|title=1991 Australian Netball Team – Sport Australia Hall of Fame|publisher=sahof.org.au|access-date=23 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/diamonds-vs-silver-ferns-old-foes-biggest-rivalry-20131011-2ve6y.html|title=Diamonds vs Silver Ferns: Old foes' biggest rivalry|publisher=www.smh.com.au|date=12 October 2013}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/netball/news/12415/9938535/looking-back-at-the-greatest-australia-v-new-zealand-netball-matches|title=Looking back at the greatest Australia v New Zealand netball matches|publisher=www.skysports.com|date=6 August 2015|accessdate=8 July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.upstart.net.au/the-history-of-netballs-greatest-rivalry/|title=The history of netball's greatest rivalry|publisher=www.upstart.net.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924042154/https://www.upstart.net.au/the-history-of-netballs-greatest-rivalry/|archive-date=24 September 2020|date=20 November 2018|accessdate=13 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/netball/world-champion-silver-ferns-still-feel-they-re-hunting-diamonds-20191024-p533p4.html|title=World champion Silver Ferns still feel they're hunting Diamonds|publisher=www.smh.com.au|date=24 October 2019|accessdate=17 July 2021}}
Tournament history
=Netball World Cup=
Australia has competed at every World Netball Championships and/or Netball World Cup since the 1963 inaugural tournament. Between 1963 and 2015, Australia have won 11 championships. With a team coached by Lorna McConchie, captained by Joyce Brown and also featuring Margaret Caldow and Wilma Ritchie, Australia were the inaugural champions after winning all ten matches during the 1963 tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://diamonds.netball.com.au/history/netball-world-cup|title=Netball World Cup|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225023654/https://diamonds.netball.com.au/history/netball-world-cup|archive-date=25 February 2021|accessdate=7 July 2021|publisher=diamonds.netball.com.au}}{{Cite web|url=https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/netball-wp-assets/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/05192322/WorldCup_History.pdf|title=Australia at the Netball World Cup|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026074707/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/netball-wp-assets/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/05192322/WorldCup_History.pdf|archive-date=26 October 2020|accessdate=26 August 2020|publisher=Netball Australia}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/World/index.html|title=Women Netball World Championship Archive|publisher=www.todor66.com|accessdate=9 July 2021}} In 2005, the 1963 team were inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|url=https://sahof.org.au/award-winner/australian-netball-team-1963-netball-1963/|title=1963 Australian Netball Team – Sport Australia Hall of Fame|publisher=sahof.org.au|access-date=12 July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://sahof.org.au/awards/team-sport-australia-award/|title=Sport Australia Hall of Fame – Team Sport Australia Award|publisher=sahof.org.au|access-date=12 July 2021}} In the 1991 final, Australia defeated reigning champions, New Zealand, 53–52 at a packed Sydney Entertainment Centre. New Zealand held a one point lead at each change, Australia then went ahead with minutes to go. With seconds to spare, Roselee Jencke made a match-saving intercept to ensure a one-goal victory for Australia. The match, which was broadcast live on Network 10, was hailed as one of the greatest netball games ever. Bob Hawke, the Prime Minister of Australia and a lifelong sports enthusiast, called it the best sporting contest he had seen. It was also the first of a hat-trick of World titles for Australia. In 1992, the team and their head coach, Joyce Brown, were all awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. In 2012 they were inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.{{cite news|date=8 June 1992|title=QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS ORDER OF AUSTRALIA|volume=66|page=4|newspaper=The Canberra Times|issue=20,875|location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126927579|access-date=29 September 2020|via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite web|url=https://diamonds.netball.com.au/player/roselee-jencke-oam|title=Roselee Jencke|publisher=diamonds.netball.com.au|access-date=5 October 2020}} In the 1999 final, Australia were trailing New Zealand 28–34 after three quarters. However, they snatched the title 42–41 with a last minute goal from Sharelle McMahon. The win gave Australia its third straight world title. In 2014, the 1999 team became the third Australia national netball team to be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.{{Cite web|url=https://sahof.org.au/award-winner/1999-australian-netball-team-netball-1999/|title=1999 Australian Netball Team – Sport Australia Hall of Fame|publisher=sahof.org.au|access-date=10 July 2021}}
=World Games=
Between 1985 and 1993, Australia competed at the World Games, winning one gold and two silver medals.{{cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Other/index_Women_World_Games.html|title=Women Netball World Games Archive|publisher=www.todor66.com|access-date=15 July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theworldgames.org/results#!edition=7&category=527&country=0|title=Results of The World Games|publisher=IWGA |access-date=3 March 2020}}
| class="wikitable collapsible" style="text-align:center;" | |
| style="background:silver;"
! Tournaments ! Place | |
| {{left}}1985 World Games{{cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Other/Women_World_Games_1985.html|title=Women Netball World Games 1985 London|publisher=www.todor66.com|access-date=6 May 2020}} | {{silver02}} |
| {{left}}1989 World Games{{cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Other/Women_World_Games_1989.html|title=Women Netball World Games 1989 Karlsruhe|publisher=www.todor66.com|accessdate=6 May 2020}} | {{silver02}} |
| {{left}}1993 World Games{{cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Other/Women_World_Games_1993.html|title=Women Netball World Games 1993 The Hague|publisher=www.todor66.com|accessdate=6 May 2020}} | {{gold01}} |
=Commonwealth Games=
Australia has competed at every netball tournament at the Commonwealth Games. In 1990 they defeated New Zealand in a one-off match when netball was a demonstration sport. Between 1998 and 2022 they have played in every tournament final, winning four gold and three silver medals. In 1998, Jill McIntosh guided Australia to the inaugural Commonwealth title after they defeated New Zealand 42–39 in the final. In 2002, Australia defended their title, again after defeating New Zealand in the final, this time courtesy of a Sharelle McMahon goal in double extra time.{{Cite web|url=https://diamonds.netball.com.au/history/commonwealth-games|title=Commonwealth Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428023854/https://diamonds.netball.com.au/history/commonwealth-games|archive-date=28 April 2021|accessdate=7 July 2021|publisher=Australian Diamonds }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Commonwealth/index.html|title=Women Netball Commonwealth Games Archive 1990-2018|publisher=www.todor66.com|accessdate=8 July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.todor66.com/others/Netball/Commonwealth/Women_1998.html|title=Women Netball Commonwealth Games Kuala Lumpur (MAS) 1998|publisher=www.todor66.com|accessdate=8 July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/commonwealthgames2002/hi/other_sports/netball/newsid_2172000/2172129.stm|title=Aussies triumph in final drama|publisher=news.bbc.co.uk|date=4 August 2002|accessdate=8 July 2021}}
During the 2010 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, McMahon, now team captain, carried the flag for the overall Australia team.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-sport/mcmahon-named-australian-team-flagbearer-20101001-161af.html|title=McMahon named Australian team flagbearer|publisher=www.smh.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074538/http://www.smh.com.au//breaking-news-sport/mcmahon-named-australian-team-flagbearer-20101001-161af.html|archive-date=5 March 2016|date=1 October 2010|accessdate=8 July 2021}}{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/commonwealth-games-2010/comm-games-news/mcmahon-as-flag-bearer-boosts-diamonds-20101002-161fu.html |title=McMahon as flag bearer boosts Diamonds|publisher=www.smh.com.au|date=2 October 2010|accessdate=2 October 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/sharelle-mcmahon-takes-a-trip-down-commonwealth-games-memory-lane-20140717-zu4w1.html |title=Sharelle McMahon takes a trip down Commonwealth Games memory lane|publisher=www.smh.com.au|date=18 July 2014|accessdate=8 July 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://commonwealthgames.com.au/athletes/sharelle-mcmahon/|title=Sharelle McMahon|date=19 June 2020 |publisher=commonwealthgames.com.au|accessdate=8 July 2021}} In 2014, Australia won their third Commonwealth title after defeating New Zealand 58–40 in the final. Caitlin Bassett scored 49 from 53 at 92% accuracy to clinch the title.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-03/diamonds-demolish-silver-ferns-to-win-glasgow-gold/5644740|title=Commonwealth Games: Australian Diamonds hammer Silver Ferns 58-40 to win gold in Glasgow|publisher=www.abc.net.au|date=3 August 2014|accessdate=8 July 2021}}
=Constellation Cup=
Since 2010 Australia and New Zealand have competed for the Constellation Cup.
=Netball Quad Series/Netball Nations Cup=
Since 2012, Australia have competed in the Netball Quad Series, playing against England, New Zealand and South Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/netball-quad-series-axed-but-silver-ferns-still-set-to-play-australia-in-constellation-cup-series/YMPTKKDKDDISRO6Q4KHR2GDOKU/|title=Netball Quad Series axed but Silver Ferns still set to play Australia in Constellation Cup series|publisher=www.nzherald.co.nz|date=31 May 2020|accessdate=17 July 2021}}
=Fast5 Netball World Series=
When competing at the Fast5 Netball World Series, the team is referred to as the Fast5 Flyers.{{Cite web|url=http://netball.com.au/team/australian-fast5-flyers/|title=Australian Fast5 Flyers|publisher=netball.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712183311/https://netball.com.au/team/australian-fast5-flyers/|archive-date=12 July 2018|accessdate=10 July 2021}} In 2022, Australia won the series for the first time.{{cite web|url=https://netball.com.au/news/australia-breaks-fast5-drought-historic-win|title=Australia breaks Fast5 drought with historic win |publisher=netball.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107032205/https://netball.com.au/news/australia-breaks-fast5-drought-historic-win|archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022|date=6 November 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://fast5netball.com/fast5/news/australia-savour-first-fast5-title-win.html|title=Australia savour first FAST5 title win|publisher=fast5netball.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107030702/https://fast5netball.com/fast5/news/australia-savour-first-fast5-title-win.html|access-date=7 November 2022|date=6 November 2022 |archive-date=7 November 2022}}
Home venues
The Diamonds have played their home matches at various home venues around Australia. The courts they most recently used include:
Notable players
=Current squad=
The current squad was selected for the 2024 Constellation Cup.{{cite web|url=https://diamonds.netball.com.au/news/constellation-cup-squad-revealed|title=Constellation Cup squad revealed|publisher=Origin Australian Diamonds |date=25 September 2024|access-date=6 November 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005053740/https://diamonds.netball.com.au/news/constellation-cup-squad-revealed |archive-date= Oct 5, 2024 }}
{{INF roster header|team=Australia
| color1 = #208c6a| bg1 = #ffd700| color2 = #ffd700| bg2 = #208c6a}}
{{INF roster player |name=Sunday Aryang |pos=GD |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|2000|12|25}}|height=1.82 |club=West Coast Fever}}
{{INF roster player |name=Kiera Austin |pos=GS, GA, WA |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1997|08|26}}|height=1.85 |club=Melbourne Vixens}}
{{INF roster player |name=Courtney Bruce |pos=GK, GD |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1993|12|8}}|height=1.89 |club=Sunshine Coast Lightning}}
{{INF roster player |name=Sophie Dwyer|pos=GA |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|2001|12|05}}|height=1.83 |club=Giants Netball}}
{{INF roster player |name=Rudi Ellis |pos=GK, GD|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1997|08|13}}|height=1.90|club=Melbourne Vixens}}
{{INF roster player |name=Sophie Garbin|pos=GS, GA|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1997|04|06}}|height=1.84 |club=Melbourne Vixens}}
{{INF roster player |name=Matilda Garrett|pos=GK, GD|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1998|08|11}}|height=1.85|club=Adelaide Thunderbirds}}
{{INF roster player|name=Paige Hadley|pos=C, WA, WD |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1992|08|26}}|height=1.73|club=New South Wales Swifts}}
{{INF roster player|name=Georgie Horjus|pos=GA, WA|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|2002|01|28}}|height=1.72|club=Adelaide Thunderbirds}}
{{INF roster player |name=Sarah Klau |pos=GK, GD |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1994|09|30}}|height=1.90 |club=New South Wales Swifts}}
{{INF roster player |name=Cara Koenen |pos=GS, GA |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1996|02|27}}|height=1.90 |club=Sunshine Coast Lightning}}
{{INF roster player |name=Kate Moloney |pos=WD, C, WA |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1993|01|8}}|height=1.77 |club=Melbourne Vixens}}
{{INF roster player |name=Jamie-Lee Price |pos=WD, C |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1996|01|10}}|height=1.79 |club=Giants Netball}}
{{INF roster player |name=Liz Watson|pos=WA, C |dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1994|3|30}}|height=1.78 |club=Sunshine Coast Lightning|capt=yes}}
{{INF roster player |name=Joanna Weston|pos=GD, WD, GK|dob={{birth date and age2|df=yes|2024|10|20|1994|2|14}}|height=1.88|club=Melbourne Vixens}}
{{INF roster footer
| head_coach = Stacey Marinkovich
| asst_coach =
| manager =
| physio =
| trainer =
| sport_sci =
| str_cond =
| archive = yes
}}
=Notable past players=
;Captains
{{main|List of Australia national netball team captains}}
;Award winners
{{see|List of Australia international netball players}}
Head coaches
{{see also|List of netball coaches in Australia}}
Sponsorship
Honours
{{Commons category|Australia national netball team}}
- World Netball Championships/Netball World Cup
- Winners: 1963, 1971, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023: 12
- Runners up: 1967, 1987, 2003, 2019: 4
- Commonwealth Games
- Winners: 1998, 2002, 2014, 2022: 4
- Runners Up: 2006, 2010, 2018: 3
- Constellation Cup
- Winners: 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023: 11
- Runners Up: 2012, 2021, 2024: 3
- Netball Quad Series/Netball Nations Cup
- Winners: 2012, 2016, 2017 (I), 2018 (I), 2018 (II), 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024: 9
- Runners Up: 2017 (II): 1
- World Games
- Winners: 1993: 1
- Runners up: 1985, 1989: 2
- Fast5 Netball World Series
- Winners: 2022, 2023, 2024: 3
- Runners up: 2013, 2014, 2016: 3
References
{{reflist|3}}
External links
- [https://diamonds.netball.com.au/ Official team website]
- [http://www.netball.com.au Netball Australia website]
{{Australia national netball team}}
{{Netball in Australia}}
{{Netball in Asia}}
{{Netball in Oceania}}
{{National sports teams of Australia}}
{{Navboxes
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{{INF Netball World Cup nav}}
{{Commonwealth Games Netball}}
{{Netball Quad Series}}
{{Constellation Cup}}
{{Fast5 Netball World Series}}
{{Netball at the World Games}}
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Category:National netball teams of Asia