Short and Sweet: Rugby League women star, PB’s in Diamond League and netballers make debut

THE Olympics may be over but our athletes are still racking up impressive performances on the international stage. SHORT AND SWEET wrap of woman and sport.

Eloise Wellings and Genevieve LaCaze at the Rio Olympics. LaCaze took great form into the Diamond league.

• Young Matildas not wandering off
• Diamonds Netball: Ultimate guide
• Footy women in league of their own
• Diamonds make winning start against South Africa
• Australian Olympic women: By the numbers

THE Olympics may be over but our athletes are still racking up impressive performances on the international stage.

Numerous members of the track and field team which competed in Rio are still hard at it.

The Diamonds showed why they are the number one netball team in the world and our female footy players won over a new legion of fans.

The Sharks won their nines clash with the women’s team from the Dragons. Pic: Mark Evans

And in a major honour, a veteran Australian basketballer has won a major award.

All this a more in this week's SHORT AND SWEET wrap of women and sport.

ATHLETES HIT NEW HEIGHTS

Just a week after the Olympic Games an assortment of track and field athletes have made a big impact at the Paris Diamond League.

Fresh for the Olympic finals of the 5000m and 3000m steeplechase finals, Genevieve LaCaze broke the Australian and Oceania 3000m steeplechase record in 9:14:28.

It was LaCaze’s 15th PB of the season and broke the Australian and Oceania record by four seconds.

Australia’s Eloise Wellings and Genevieve LaCaze after the 5000m final at the Olympics. Pic: Brett Costello

“I set this time as my background on my phone the other week because I knew I had it in me but to come out and break it by four seconds is incredible. I’m so happy,” LaCaze said.

Other PB’s by Aussie at the meet included Zoe Buckman in the 1500m in 11th with a PB of 4:03:22 and Ryan Gregson in the 3000m closed the race in 12th at 7:44:90.

FLAMES FLICKER IN WARM-UP

The Brydens Sydney Uni Flames have lost a tough pre-season hit out to American team UCLA, going down to the visitors 73-69.

A strong, hard start out the Flames 15 up at quarter time but the visitors hauled them back for their four point win.

Fire's Micaela Cocks guarded by Flames player Carly Boag in the last WNBL.

Carly Boag made a big mark for the Flames with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Tahlia Tupaea (12)’ Cassidy McLean (11) and Hayley Moffatt (11) all finished with double figures.

WOMEN IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

Congratulations to the Cronulla Sharks team who claimed victory in the first ever women’s nines match against the St George Dragons before the NRL match on Saturday.

The crowd threw themselves into the game in a big show of support for a fully fledged elite women’s league in the not-so-distant future.

The women’s nines match was a big hit with fans.

BASKETBALL LEGEND HONOURED

She was one of Australia’s most recognised basketball players in her prime and now former Opals great Michelle Timms have been honoured by FIBA.

Timms was inducted into world basketball’s Hall of Fame over the weekend.

Michelle Timms in full flight back in the 1990s.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB LADIES

It was 15 minutes they willow never forget.

Defender Kristiana Manu’a and shoot Steph Wood became the 169th and 170th players to pull on the Australian netball uniform in Auckland on Saturday.

The pair came on in the finale quarter of Australia’s 25 goal victory over South Africa.

Kristiana Manu'a made her debut against South Africa. Photo: ©Michael Bradley.

They are now both hoping to make the debuts in Australian soil when the Diamonds meet England in Adelaide on Wednesday or New Zealand in Melbourne on Sunday.

YOUNG MATILDAS

The Young Matildas conceded an early goal to lose 1-0 to Myanmar in the third place playoff at the AFF Women’s Championship in Vietnam.

“It’s definitely been a positive experience being here for the players,’’ said coach Craig Deans. “The chance to play in four quality games in tough conditions and in front of big crowds is something all the players should learn from.

“The tournament has also given coaching staff a good opportunity to assess the players and see where they are at for the upcoming AFC qualifiers,’’