Netball news: Australia looks to the future with young squad for Fast5 World Championships

Australia has gone with a netball squad brimming with youngsters for the reduced-format Fast5 World Championships in New Zealand this year. So who emerge as our next Diamonds?

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 16: Matilda McDonell of the Giants competes for the ball during the round five Super Netball match between GWS Giants and Collingwood Magpies at Ken Rosewall Arena on April 16, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Netball Australia has cast an eye to the future in naming its team for November’s Fast5 World Championships in New Zealand, naming a team brimming with exciting youngsters for the first reduced-format titles in four years.

Young guns including 20-year-olds Georgie Horjus, Sophie Dwyer and Lucy Austin, Hannah Mundy (21) and Matilda McDonell (22) have been named to compete in Christchurch next month in the first Fast5 championship since 2018.

Double premiership-winning coach Briony Akle will take the reins of the Aussies as they face defending champions New Zealand, Jamaica, England, South Africa and Uganda in the five-a-side format that features shortened quarters, multiple point shots and power plays.

Capped Diamonds Jess Anstiss, Kelsey Browne and Sophie Garbin, as well as former Diamonds squad defenders Kim Jenner and Tara Hinchliffe have also been named in a versatile squad.

Matilda McDonell have been named to compete in Christchurch in November as the reduced-format titles return for the first time in four years.

With the World Youth Cup cancelled since the start of the pandemic, few of Australia’s rising stars have had the chance to perform on the international stage.

In naming several young guns in its Fast5 team, Netball Australia has given them a chance to gain vital experience in the lead-up to a 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2027 Netball World Cup that will be on home soil.

The athletes are all under the eye of the those that matter too, with the Diamonds selection panel naming the 10 players and three reserves.

Young gun Sophie Dwyer will get to show her skills on the international stage.

Netball Australia executive general manager of performance Stacey West said she was looking forward to seeing the team come together.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to return to the Fast5 stage in the upcoming series in Christchurch,” West said.

“The Fast5 competition offers a dynamic variation of our game that gives a unique competition development experience to our selected athletes, coaching and support staff and umpires.”

Double premiership-winning coach Briony Akle will take charge of the Aussies across the ditch.

Australian team for Fast5 World championships, Christchurch, November 4-6:

Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Jess Anstiss (West Coast Fever), Kelsey Browne (Collingwood Magpies), Sophie Dwyer (Giants), Sophie Garbin (Magpies), Tara Hinchliffe (Sunshine Coast Lightning), Georgie Horjus (Thunderbirds), Kim Jenner (Fever), Matilda McDonell (Giants), Hannah Mundy (Melbourne Vixens). Reserves: Matilda Garrett (Thunderbirds), Matisse Letherbarrow (Giants), Tayla Williams (Thunderbirds).

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Originally published as Netball news: Australia looks to the future with young squad for Fast5 World Championships