Diamonds warm up for Commonwealth Games with home series against Jamaica
Australia’s Commonwealth Games preparation has been strengthened, locking in a home series against the powerhouse nation they fought for their last Games gold medal. All the details.
The Diamonds will finalise their Commonwealth Games preparations in a three-match home series against Jamaica in February in the first stand-alone series between the powerhouse nations in more than a decade.
Netball Australia and its government partners have been working on the series in the background for almost a year, with three matches pencilled in for Adelaide, Perth and a potential blockbuster decider at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, delivered in partnership with the Victorian Government through Visit Victoria.
The matches will be held in early February just over a month out from the start of the Super Netball season.
The number of Jamaican athletes playing for Super Netball clubs ensures a close to full-strength Sunshine Girls outfit will take part in the matches which will pit the 2022 Commonwealth Games finalists against one another in a highly-anticipated series.
Among the players expected to take part are West Coast Fever goaler Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, the woman rated the best shooter of all time and the Sunshine Girls’ vaunted defenders including Latanya Wilson and Kadie-Ann Dehaney.
The series could also feature the return from maternity leave of Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling and possibly, Jodi-Ann Ward, who has been recovering from an ACL injury sustained while playing for the Giants last season.
While the Diamonds are ranked no.1 in the world and hold every major trophy in the sport, the strength of the Jamaican side cannot be denied and the chance for the Aussies to test themselves over three matches is a boon.
“We haven’t faced the Jamaican brand of netball since the World Cup (in 2023), so we are very much looking forward to going up against their fast, physical and elusive style of play,” Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich said.
“It is exactly the type of challenge our group needs heading into 2026.”
The Diamonds played seven Tests this year, against South Africa (3-0) and New Zealand (2-2 plus tie-break win) but testing themselves against the physical and aerially dominant Sunshine Girls will put a cherry on top of their preparations given the Super Netball season’s finish just over a fortnight out from the opening ceremony in Glasgow means there is not time for warm-up matches or series.
“As the final test series before the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, it gives us the chance to come together and take our learnings from our recent international series and continue the build and gain momentum ahead of the Commonwealth Games,” Marinkovich said.
Netball Australia CEO Stacey West said securing a stand-alone series against Jamaica for the first time since 2011 reflected the organisation’s ongoing commitment to bringing high-quality international netball to fans.
“Jamaica have consistently challenged top teams and hosting them ensures the Diamonds experience the type of contest that brings out the best in our sport,” West said.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity to take the Diamonds to Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne, where we’ve seen exceptional support and sellout crowds.”
The event could culminate in a decider at John Cain Arena, with Victoria hosting another blockbuster match – on the back of recent Tests in Melbourne and Bendigo and the record-breaking Super Netball grand final at Rod Laver Arena - courtesy of its major sponsorship deal through Visit Victoria.
“Our partnership with the Diamonds means more big games, more visitors and more benefits for Victoria - supporting local jobs, filling our hotels and restaurants, and backing the businesses that keep our economy thriving,” Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said.
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Originally published as Diamonds warm up for Commonwealth Games with home series against Jamaica
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