Netball mums could be at Commonwealth Games says Diamonds coach

DIAMONDS coach Lisa Alexander says a trio of mothers could help Australia defend gold at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year

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DIAMONDS coach Lisa Alexander says a trio of mothers could help Australia defend gold at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year.

The history-making feat could be achieved if former captain Laura Geitz, mother-of-twins Renae Ingles and Giants mum Bec Bulley all decided to contest for national team spots.

Less than a year out from the start of the first game of netball at the Commonwealth Games on April 5, 2017, Alexander said she won’t be putting pressure on any of the three but the door is open for their return as mothers if they opt for the opportunity and their form backs selection.

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Bec Bulley was entice out of retirement after the birth of her daughter.

“There is potential to have mothers in the Commonwealth Games team and we are ready for it,” Alexander said. “We have the processes in place.

“It will be a matter of whether they can combine international netball with Super Netball.”

Geitz has yet to indicate if, or when, she will return to the court after the birth of son Barney five weeks ago.

Bulley was enticed out of retirement by the Giants with daughter Indie, 13 months, now travelling with the team and Ingles, whose twins Jacob and Milla, born last July, returned to Super Netball in round six.

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Renae Ingles after she returned to the court with the Thunderbirds.

Netballer Laura Geitz with husband Mark Gilbride and baby Barney.

Alexander said she would like to gauge the interest of her young mums by later this year as the Diamonds begin their countdown to the Commonwealth Games with a series of international tournaments.

“I’d like to know by the end of this season,” she said

“I have asked selectors to rank every player that is available unless they are clearly retired.

“We want to keep the door open for everyone.”

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Renae Ingles and Laura Geitz hold the Constellation Cup back in 2015.

Alexander has a history of picking teams on form, not reputation, and the results prove this is a highly successful process for the Diamonds who won the 2015 world title under her tutelage along with every other international series contested last year.

Bulley and her Giants teammates will take on Geitz’s old Firebirds teammates in round eight of Super Netball match on Saturday night on the Gold Coast.

The Giants are sitting at the top of the Super Netball ladder ahead of Lightning and the Vixens with the Firebirds in fourth place.

The Swifts will take on Lightning in a tough encounter on Sunday in Sydney.