Super Netball star Amy Parmenter says late mum as driving force in Mavericks move, rise to Diamonds

Amy Parmenter has revealed the spirit of her late mother as one of the driving forces behind her move to the Mavericks. Plus, every Super Netball round 14 game previewed inside.

Amy Parmenter leads the Mavericks onto the court. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Amy Parmenter has revealed the spirit of her late mother as one of the driving forces behind her move to the Melbourne Mavericks.

In the latest of Tayla Little’s ‘Little Chats’ series with the stars of Super Netball, Mavericks captain Parmenter says her mother Gilly, who died when the now-Diamonds midcourter was just 15, still motivated many of her biggest decisions in life.

“I feel like a big reason I’ve moved to the Mavericks is because my mum was an adventurer and a free spirit,” Parmenter said.

“She moved over to Australia when she met my dad - from the UK - and I was craving an adventure.

“I think I felt her so much in that decision. I had all these freaky signs about moving here and … it’s my mum’s spirit to get out of your comfort zone and go and see the world.

“And being able to play netball and do that in different places and with different people is really because of her spirit.”

The Mavericks’ inaugural skipper also details her part in the Tie Dye Project, a charity she founded to raise funds for cancer, as well as the members of the occasionally embarrassing ‘Parmy Army’ who follow her to netball events across the country.

Mavericks star Amy Parmenter believes her late mother was a driving force in her move to the newest Super Netball club. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

Round 14

SATURDAY

(All times AEST)

Firebirds v Vixens

Nissan Arena, Brisbane, 5pm

Broadcast: Kayo and Foxtel

Umpires: Bronwen Adams & Tayla Favell

Huge game for both teams, with the Firebirds determined to send club legend and current captain Kim Ravaillion out on a winning note, while the Vixens are locked in a three-way fight for the minor premiership that all comes down to this round.

The home side had two massive and emotional wins after changing to the coaching duo of Katie Walker and Roselee Jencke but came back to earth with a thud last week, going down to the Lightning in the Queensland derby.

There will be plenty of pressure on Firebirds star Donnell Wallam. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Plenty of pressure will fall on the shoulders of Donnell Wallam, as always, to tick the scoring over, but Emily Moore has stood up over the past few weeks, especially in the super shot period and the pair’s efforts against an experienced Vixens defensive end will be key.

The Vixens shooting end looked vulnerable at times in their loss to the Fever last week and Sophie Garbin, in particular, will be looking to bounce back and get a confidence boost ahead of the finals.

Vixens star Sophie Garbin will be out to bounce back after last week’s loss to the Fever. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Fever v Mavericks

RAC Arena, Perth, 7pm

Broadcast: Kayo, Foxtel and SEN

Umpires: Tamara Buriani-Gennai & Georgina Sulley-Beales

Huge game for the newest team in the competition here.

Will the competition’s Cinderella story celebrate at the ball, or is facing the Fever in the west the challenge that will turn them into pumpkins?

Eleanor Cardwell will play a keyrole in the Mavericks’ success this weekend, which is must-win if they are to be a chance of making finals. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Well down on percentage, the Mavs need to win this one and have the Lightning lose to the Thunderbirds in Adelaide if they are to make the final four. The second part of the equation is out of their hands - all they can do is go out and win.

If it’s to happen, it’s probably going to come down to how well the shooting end of Eleanor Cardwell and Shimona Jok can combine.

That’s unless Tracey Neville unleashes her Jamaican star at the defensive end, as she did the first time these teams faced each other, to combat the height of Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.

Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard is a massive part of the Fever’s success. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Fever rebounded from a couple of shaky weeks to beat the Vixens last start and keep themselves in the running for the minor premiership and are likely to be at their ruthless best in their last hitout before finals.

SUNDAY

Giants v Swifts

Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, 2pm

Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, Foxtel and SEN

Umpires: Kate Wright & Justin Barnes

Few would have picked this game being the battle for the wooden spoon at the start of the season.

Coming off a grand final appearance last year, the Swifts won the pre-season Team Girls Cup and seemed set for a stunning year, while Giants captain Jo Harten predicted an all-NSW final.

Giants skipper Jo Harten predicted an all-NSW grand final. They play-off instead for the wooden spoon. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty Images

Both have come crashing down though after experiencing difficult seasons - although in entirely different circumstances.

It’s evident the Sam Wallace-Joseph affair has had a major impact on the incredibly tight-knit Swifts side and they will have to address their shooting end in the off-season.

The usually humming midcourt has been an issue as well, with a knee injury to Maddy Proud and the departure of Tayla Fraser to the Mavs, among the issues.

The Giants too have had problems in the midcourt, with the protracted absence of Maddie Hay early in the year as she recovered from hip surgery underlining issues they have had all season in getting the ball quickly and cleanly over the transverse line and into the circle.

Both teams will be itching for the win to avoid the ultimate disappointment.

The Sam Wallace-Joseph affair had a major impact on the usually tight-knit Swifts group. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Thunderbirds v Lightning

Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 4pm

Broadcast: Kayo Freebies and Foxtel

Umpires: Rachael Ayre & Josh Bowring

Huge match to finish the regular season, with the minor premiership and a place in the finals on the line for these teams.

Georgie Horjus and the Thunderbirds will snare the minor premiership if they win. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

The T-Birds are in a three-way tie on points with the Fever and Vixens but sit at the top of the ladder on percentage and if they win, will snare the minor premiership given their significant advantage over their rivals in that department.

The Lightning sit in fourth place - provisionally in the finals - holding a significant advantage over the fifth-placed Mavericks on percentage.

Leesa Mi Mi and the Lightning will know if this becomes must-win to secure fourth spot on the ladder before tip-off. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

They could yet lose and make the finals - but only if the Mavs lose as well.

Should the new club conquer their tough assignment and beat the Fever in Perth on Saturday night, the Lightning must beat Adelaide to make the playoffs.

With the Thunderbirds celebrating Heritage Round and hoping to secure a home semi-final ahead of what is already going to be a grand final in Adelaide next month, the Lightning head in as major underdogs.

As ever, the contest will come down to whether the visitors can find a way to beat the league’s leading defensive unit and convert their share of possession into points.

Originally published as Super Netball star Amy Parmenter says late mum as driving force in Mavericks move, rise to Diamonds