Cover image: Danny Dalton
New faces on court, and leadership off it. A buffed trophy cabinet and record numbers clicking through turnstiles and turning on remotes. There’s a palpable sense of magic in the Australian netball air at the moment, and with the 2024 international season about to commence and planning well underway for the 2027 World Cup, Stacey Marinkovich is up for what she described as a new adventure.
The Diamonds’ head coach said, “It’s an exciting time for netball both on and off the court. With Stacey West’s leadership as CEO, how the players and everyone else are collaborating and moving in the same direction puts a really good level of comfort in what we are all doing. We have front of mind in making the home World Cup something very special when it comes around. There’s a build on the court, but also off the court so we can showcase our sport in the best way possible.”
Training in Torquay
With another successful Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season done and dusted, the Diamonds’ squad has turned their attention to upcoming series against the English Roses and New Zealand’s Silver Ferns. Players trained in state hubs after their domestic season finished, and were brought together at a recent camp in Torquay in what Marinkovich described as a ‘balancing act.’
“We started working on their off court connections, and some courtwork, without going too hard and heavy given they’ve just come off SSN. It was more of a culture camp launching towards the World Cup, getting down to our vision, our purpose and making sure we all moving in the same direction. Understanding how the programme is built, what’s really important, what we value and how we want to play the game.”
Despite the Diamonds success over the last four year cycle, they didn’t relive past triumphs, but were completely focused on what lies ahead.
“It’s an acknowledgement that this is a new adventure. That the group that had been before had good success, but that already our squad looks different. Some players have had great fulfillment and been able to retire, and now we bring in a new group so in terms of what this group can accomplish, it almost starts from scratch.
“We have to earn everything we go out there to achieve, and that really motivates this group – doing things for the first time with each other whilst building on the foundation that we’ve all laid.
“We have some key things that have held us in good stead and we will continue to have in the programme, but we also have new players and new skill sets, and we need to move our game forwards.
“We need to progress because we know how tight international netball is. Four years is a long way away, and we have work to do.”
Stacey Marinkovich gives instructions to her charges at the 2023 Netball World Cup. Image: Danny Dalton | Tah Dah Sports
The Diamonds’ 2024/25 Squad
With the retirement of Ash Brazill, and Steph Fretwell stepping down from international duties, four new players have been added to the Diamonds’ squad. Ash Ervin, Georgie Horjus and Hannah Mundy were initially included, while Rudi Ellis was upgraded from invitee to squad member. Marinkovich said she was rapt with how they came into camp.
“The first time we ever bring new players in, you are waiting to see what naturally transfers from their SSN environment, where they are challenged, and how they fit in with a different group of players that they might not be on court with, week in, week out.
“We haven’t seen any of the new players in the squad play a game – yet! So there is work for us to do in terms of who they best combine with and what positions they are best suited to.”
One of Marinkovich’s key platforms is giving her new players every chance to succeed, rather than throwing them to the wolves of international netball. They will generally debut with experienced heads around them, and within a combination they are comfortable with.
She explained, “I’m really big on making sure that when a player steps out on court, they understand their role and have had enough work put into them with the group that they can go out there and thrive. We want them to walk away afterwards feeling really confident of what they’ve been able to contribute, and understand where they still need to evolve.
“That’s opposed to just putting them out there to find out where they are at, and for them then not to have the greatest experience.
“So I’ve got some work to do with that connection piece, but they will ready to debut when the opportunity comes.”
Ellis, Ervin and Horjus were all named in the 15 strong squad to take on England and could potentially take the court, while Mundy will have to wait a little longer. Marinkovich said, “Hannah thrived in camp. But the midcourt is really competitive, selection is tough, and it isn’t easy to get the dress.”
Stacey Marinkovich in a previous camp. Image Netball Australia
On Court Units
Ervin and Ellis may find their debut comes soon, with the absence of defenders Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston, who are returning from planned surgery and injury respectively. “They are both back on court already,” Marinkovich said. “Courtney and Jo are very valuable players to us with a lot of experience, so it’s not about rushing them back, but working out what they need at this particular point in time. Getting their bodies right so that they have longevity in the game, and are at the level they need to be to go out there and perform well.”
Marinkovich is excited to see her most experienced defender, Sarah Klau, lead the way, while also acknowledging the growth of Sunday Aryang and Amy Parmenter during the domestic season. She said, “Sarah has great understanding of the different defensive roles we have, and we will see her connect them.
“Given that we have two new keepers in, we will also see her versatility in playing across both defensive positions. It’s not easy replacing Jo and Courtney’s experience and leadership, but with Sarah there, and the other two around the group, I know the rest of our defensive group will be well supported.
“People also grow at different times in all areas of the game – whether it’s their skills, their understanding of the opposition, or having a greater presence and voice. Sunday has certainly stepped up in that area, as has Amy through her experiences this season as the Mavericks’ captain. They are bringing a real vibe and energy that makes everyone a little more excited because of the possibilities that sit before us.”
Marinkovich laughed when asked where an already stellar midcourt can search for improvement. “I have never seen a group that is so competitive and yet so supportive of each other. No matter how experienced they are, they are all striving to be better, to improve their physical capacities, to take it up another level. So the way they can move and back each other up, and connect the transverse lines, will put us in a good position.”
With the loss of Fretwell, Horjus could debut in the Roses series, while Marinkovich also lauds the flexibility of the rest of her shooters. “Nations Cup in January gave us a good glimpse of that. We saw Sophie Dwyer take a strong position in the goal attack role, Cara was also able to have a run there, so we have a lot of flexibility. Real mobility around the front of the circle, while also having strength and presence under the post. We aren’t limited in terms of what we see in SSN. While it is our strength, I’m also looking forward to the changing dynamics.”
Donnell Wallam has had to seek playing opportunities in New Zealand, but Marinkovich is adamant that she will still be eligible to play for the Diamonds, and will be well supported in that quest. “It’s what we are working through at the moment. Her build will be like any other Diamonds’ athlete, while also working around the scheduling of when she’s required for the Mystics. So what will each of our players will be doing on court, in the gym, and how are they supported in their home states?
“Beyond that, what does it look like for Donnell? We need to make sure she has the support to get physically strong, fit and prepared to play a season. And all the other elements such as medical and wellbeing support – the parts of a high performance programme. We will have things in place so that she is maximising her opportunities.”
Donnell Wallam is embraced by assistant coach Nic Richardson. She will be well supported by the Diamonds and eligible for the national team, despite playing in New Zealand. Image May Bailey l Clusterpix
The Broader Picture
Under Marinkovich’s tenure the Diamonds, pathways and men’s game have become increasingly connected, and Fast5 in particular has become almost a feeder competition for rising stars. Various groups train in hubs or camps together with what she described as a strong sense of purpose.
“We’ve tried to put relevance around each of the programmes. Fast5 is one that, whilst it is a different game, still holds great value, giving players an opportunity to compete in an international series. We’ve been able to connect it to the Diamonds values and the way we want skills produced out on court.
“We also link heavily now with the mens’ programme in our preparation – they’ve all been working with us in our state hubs.
“We are part of a bigger system that we are maximising. We have to make sure players are progressing and moving across and up pathways, and are ready to step into the Diamonds environment when the time comes.”
With any Diamonds tour, there is a strong expectation of success, but at the moment Marinkovich is focused on the process of building. She said if she gets that right, the results will take care of themselves.
“We are stripping it back at the moment. Some combinations are experienced and we can evolve the game plan more quickly, and there are parts where we need further work on connections so that we can execute at high level, and gain variety as to what we do on court.
“At the moment, that variety might have to come through our changes as opposed to our game plan, but we will see what that looks like in our next camp so that we can really understand what we are going to lay down ahead of the Roses’ series.”
Marinkovich will go into the test series with the whole-hearted support of her playing group, and acknowledges the pressure that brings to get her decision making right. However she said the group has great trust in each other.
“When we are putting things together, the players have been part of that. They’ve had the freedom to be curious and ask questions, to get a depth of understanding of what we are doing. So when we do make a decision we support each other as it’s really collaborative.
“I’m not standing on my own. I’ve got a great partnership with Nic Richardson coaching, and a really strong high performance team around me. So while there is pressure, there’s also a lot of support.
“When we do something it’s for the right reasons and the greatest of intentions.”
Diamonds celebrate with their NWC 2023 banner. Image – Aliesha Vicars
The Roses and Silver Ferns series
Both oppositions have announced significant changes in their playing groups, and Marinkovich believes those combinations of youth and experience will add competitiveness to the tours. “As soon as you get newness into a group, it feels fresh. Both sides will be full of belief, energy and enthusiasm as they start their foundation for the World Cup.
“It’s up to us to make that as difficult as possible and challenge what that will look like in the future.”
The Diamonds have struggled to win in New Zealand lately, and Marinkovich said playing the Silver Ferns is still a highlight of the netball calendar. “We are both trying to figure out how to win in each other’s back yard, so for us, we are aware of it, we haven’t conquered it yet, and it will be a real challenge for us.
“We are aware of how passionate they are and what they are doing, but we have to work on what we can control. At the moment we have to work on our connections, set our game plan, get some clarity around the roles we will play, unleash it and see what we can do. I can’t wait to get over there, and I’m sure they will be the same.”
While Swifts coach Briony Akle has taken a specialist role at the Silver Ferns and potentially some inside knowledge with her, Marinkovich’s focus will remain on her athletes. She explained, “We have a number of coaches who’ve been in international teams. The expertise across SSN is not just the world’s best in terms of athletes but in terms of personnel, and we should be really proud of the whole system.
“From a Netball Australia perspective we are aware of what information is shared within clubs and where that information potentially could go. So while Briony is taking a wonderful opportunity, we are also very aligned in terms of Sarah’s and Paige’s preparation. We set up an environment where Netball Australia is providing resources to those athletes at that time, while Briony is doing her work in New Zealand.
“We have to protect the Diamonds, so what is important to us to make sure we stay at the top? There are some things we can’t control, but those that we can, we have to make unbelievably good.”
For the matches held within Australia, Marinkovich believes the crowds will be a strong factor. “It will be really exciting. We are going to Perth who’ve had the biggest crowd across the SSN, so to get the Green Army to sprinkle some gold this time will be nice. The Pink Army really support their home growns.
“The places we are going will be exciting for the game, and we are hoping we can connect with each community and perform in a way that makes them proud.”
The Diamonds/Silver Ferns rivalry is one of the highlights of the international calender. Image: May Bailey | Netball Scoop
