Netball 2024: West Coast Fever star added as Diamonds’ invitee after strong SSN campaign
National coach Stacey Marinkovich has rewarded a midcourt star with an invitation to train with the Diamonds as she gears up for the upcoming internationals against England.
West Coast Fever midcourter Alice Teague-Neeld has been rewarded for her strong Super Netball form to be added as a Diamonds’ invitee as national coach Stacey Marinkovich gears up for next month’s Test series against England.
Marinkovich said the Fever wing attack had earned her invitation to train with the Diamonds’ squad after seeing growth in her game across the Super Netball campaign.
The national coach had already named two invitees – Melbourne Vixens defender Emily Mannix and Adelaide Thunderbirds’ goaler Lucy Austin – alongside her 18-player Diamonds’ squad for 2024-25 announced in June.
But Mannix’s involvement will now be limited to off-court after the goal keeper this week announced she was pregnant.
Marinkovich said last month she was keeping a close watch on form during the Super Netball finals to see if performances warranted any other Diamonds’ inclusions.
The invitees will join the Diamonds’ squad at all training camps over the next 12 months with the potential to be elevated to the main squad.
Teague-Neeld has enjoyed a standout season at wing attack for the Fever, feeding the league’s most dominant shooter, Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard.
The 28-year-old Victorian also made a handful of cameos at goal attack where she made her name before reinventing herself as a wing attack more than two years ago.
Marinkovich said Teague-Neeld had built on the feedback she was given after being invited into Diamonds’ camp last year.
“There is a recognition that there has been some improvement in her game across some areas and then we had given feedback on the back of her last invitation into (Diamonds) squad and could see that transferring to the court,” Marinkovich said.
“I guess that’s when you start to see that in the SSN environment, then you want to re-see what it looks like in a Diamonds’ context.
“She has certainly earned her opportunity.”
Teague-Neeld told Code Sports last month she had not given up on her Diamonds’ dream.
“It would be amazing if that happened, but (it’s) out of my control,” Teague-Neeld said.
“Of course, I would be stoked if that Diamonds’ call-up ever happened.”
Marinkovich said Teague-Neeld’s invitation had been settled on before Mannix’s family news, but left the door open for further additions to the group.
She hoped to still have Mannix involved in the first Diamonds’ camp this month.
“We can have as many invitees as we see fit … we are certainly looking at our selection at the moment, obviously off the back of Emily’s exciting news,” she said.
“Emily will still connect with the group when we go into our culture camp … we have said to her we would love her to come into camp to see the girls and acknowledge the work that she had done and what she was able to achieve this season.”
The Diamonds’ squad will come together for camp on August 19 to begin preparations for the upcoming three-Test series against the Roses.
The series opener is in Adelaide on September 19, followed by Sydney (September 22) and Bendigo (September 25).
ENDS
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