Nicole Cusack missed out on a World Championship and Order of Australia medal all in the one year she was overlooked for Australian Diamonds selection

The one instance in her 10-year international career that she was overlooked for Australia proved telling. SUBSCRIBE TO READ MORE

THE one instance in her 10-year international career that Nicole Cusack was overlooked for the Australia Diamonds, she missed out on playing in one of the greatest games of netball the world has seen, a World Championship and an Order of Australia medal.

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Cusack had made her international debut two years earlier against New Zealand and was quickly developing into a strong shooting option when Joyce Brown took over as head coach.

Previously the team comprised of 12 players but Brown decided instead to only select 10, leaving Cusack as a reserve and the 11th option should injury strike.

Australian netball team (standing from left) Vicki Wilson, Liz Ellis, Kathryn Harby, Carissa Dalwood, Simone McKinnis, Nicole Cusack and Marianne Murphy and (seated from left) Shelley O'Donnell, Michelle Fielke and Jennifer Borlase wearing their new uniforms on the steps of Parliament House 12 Jul 1994. They are in Adelaide for the first of the four-Test Milo Cup against Trinidad and Tobago.

As the now Bond Bull Sharks specialist coach sat watching from the sidelines, her teammates went on to win the World Championship, defeating reigning champions New Zealand 53-52 in front of a packed Sydney Entertainment Centre - hailed as one of the greatest netball games ever seen.

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Even then Prime Minister Bob Hawke labelled it one of the greatest sporting contests he’d ever witnessed as Australia intercepted an attacking New Zealand pass to protect their lead with seconds to spare.

Wong Mee Yee attempts to block Nicole Cusack's shot for goal during netball match Australia v Malaysia at 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur 14/09/98. A/CT

“That team got nominated for an Order of Australia medal so all my friends have one and then they’re like ‘oh sorry I forgot you weren’t in that team,’” Cusack said.

“You have downs in your career and that was the worst one for me.

“I wasn’t happy and got a bit angry at netball.

“It made me determined to make it back the following year which I did.

“That’s the ups and downs of sport I suppose but I’m over it now!”

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Cusack went on to forge an equally decorated playing career of her own, playing in Australia’s 1995 World Cup victory before retiring following a gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Yanke Broodryk meets former South African coach and Bull Sharks specialist coach Nicole Cusack at Palm Beach. Picture: CAVAN FLYNN

Since retiring, Cusack has transformed into one of the world’s most sought after coaches, mentoring emerging Diamonds, NSW Swifts, Firebirds, South Africa at the 2019 World Cup and now Bond University.

The Bulletin’s full interview with Bond Bull Sharks coach and former Australian Diamond Nicole Cusack will appear in Saturday’s Gold Coast Bulletin