Firebirds shine at Diamonds Camp

Amy Steel, Natalie Medhurst, Lauren Nourse and Laura Geitz

MISSION Queensland Firebirds Laura Geitz, Lauren Nourse, Natalie Medhurst and Amy Steel have all made their mark on Diamonds coach Norma Plummer and have been named in the Diamonds 15-player squad.

It has been a grueling five-day camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, but the tenacity of the four Firebirds has payed off and they are in line to represent their country in the upcoming Holden Test Series and the New World International Series in New Zealand.

The squad of 15 will also form the 12-player team to travel to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games in October.

Amy Steel and Laura Geitz are two of three young players who have forced their way into the Diamonds squad.

Together with Madison Browne the trio only have a combined total of 12 Test caps.

The trimmed squad is also stacked with proven stars of international netball with Sharelle McMahon,
Mo’onia Gerrard, Catherine Cox and Natalie von Bertouch to once again wear the green and gold in 2010.

Plummer is confident that the players selected are the right mix to bring Australia success in the upcoming Diamonds season.

“The blend is there, we’ve got some of the youth with the experience and it’s a very fit team,” Plummer explained.

“We have made sure that we have options in all positions down the court that we can swing around and try new things.

“We have the mix that when we get on tour we can change things up fairly easy without missing a beat. I think it’ll be a great opportunity to see the depth we have coming through.”

Reducing a 22-player squad by seven meant that the 2010 international season of several quality athletes had to come to an end.

2009 Liz Ellis Diamond recipient, Julie Corletto was left out of the squad due to medical reasons.
Spending the rest of 2010 on the sidelines was deemed the best long term decision for the talented defender, with the omission intended to prolong the 23-year-old’s career at the highest level.

“Obviously not being able to have Julie Corletto has been very disappointing,” Plummer said.

“We’ve tried everything to get her back on court but all the medical advice has been that her knee is just too vulnerable at the moment to be out there.

“We did not want to risk her because we want her to be around long term, she is a major player within the Diamonds ranks going forward so we need to have her long term not short term.”

Melbourne Vixens defender Bianca Chatfield was also left out of the 15-player squad, the 42 Test cap player falling victim to a defensive end boasting enviable depth and strength.

Caitlin Bassett, Emily Beaton, Erin Bell, Sharni Layton and Kimberley Smith were also omitted from the 22-player squad.

2010/11 Australian Diamonds 15-player squad
Kate Beveridge WA Adelaide Thunderbirds
Madison Browne VIC West Coast Fever
Rebecca Bulley VIC NSW Swifts
Catherine Cox NSW NSW Swifts
Susan Fuhrmann WA West Coast Fever
Laura Geitz QLD Queensland Firebirds
Mo'onia Gerrard NSW Adelaide Thunderbirds
Kimberlee Green NSW NSW Swifts
Renae Hallinan VIC Melbourne Vixens
Sharelle McMahon (Captain) VIC Melbourne Vixens
Natalie Medhurst SA Queensland Firebirds
Lauren Nourse SA Queensland Firebirds
Susan Pratley NSW NSW Swifts
Amy Steel VIC Queensland Firebirds
Natalie von Bertouch (Vice-captain) SA Adelaide Thunderbirds

Australian Diamonds Selectors
Norma Plummer
Anne Sargeant OAM
Nicole Cusack