Netball news: Diamonds back Donnell Wallam ahead of expected debut against England

Days after unwillingly becoming the focus of the collapsed Gina Rinehart sponsorship deal, Donnell Wallam is expected to become the third First Nations Diamonds player.

The woman who will captain Donnell Wallam when she makes her Diamonds debut - potentially as soon as Wednesday night - says the shooter has been “exceptional” during the turmoil of the last week and watching her run out for Australia will be “so special”.

Wallam will become just the third First Nations woman to play for the Diamonds if, as expected, she makes her debut during the three-match series against England starting in Newcastle on Wednesday night.

But much of the significance of the moment has been overshadowed, with Wallam becoming an unwilling focus of the collapse of Hancock Prospecting’s proposed $15 million partnership with the Diamonds.

Wallam, a proud Noongar woman from Harvey, about two hours’ drive south of Perth, had quietly raised issue with wearing the Hancock logo due to historical comments made by company founder Lang Hancock about the sterilisation of Indigenous people.

But her teammates did not want her to look any different on debut, believing First Nations people were already marginalised and it did not align with their “Sisters in Arms” mantra.

Donnell Wallam is set to make her Diamonds debut, just days after unwillingly becoming the focus of the collapsed sponsorship deal with Hancock Prospecting. Picture: Getty Images.

Despite Wallam eventually agreeing to wear the logo, Hancock withdrew the proposed sponsorship, with the 28-year-old the focus of much unfair and uninformed criticism.

Wallam, Paige Hadley and several other Diamonds not involved in the Constellation Cup series against New Zealand were brought into camp on the Gold Coast to prepare for the first of the games against England given the short series turnaround.

And the England series captain, who has roomed with the rookie shooter, said it would be “so special” to see Wallam do what she loves after a week of turmoil.

“Obviously the last few weeks have been hard for a young kid that just wants to achieve her dream and play for her country,” Hadley said.

“She’s been exceptional during this time and it’s going to be so special (when she gets on court) as only the third First Nations woman to wear the green and gold, which is so special.

“Netball made a commitment to First Nations back in (2020) that we would provide environments and have those conversations.”

New Daimonds skipper Paige Hadley has backed Wallam to succeed of the Diamonds, when she becomes the third Indigenous woman to don the green and gold. Picture: AAP.

Wallam played basketball as a youngster and only switched to netball four years ago before dominating at the state level and then becoming a training partner with the West Coast Fever.

With the world’s best shooter - Jamaican Jhanielle Fowler - holding a mortgage on the goal shooter’s spot at Fever, Wallam headed overseas, playing for Leeds in the English Superleague where she immediately made an impact before a broken arm prematurely ended her season.

While she initially missed a Super Netball contract last season, she earnt a shot as a temporary replacement player for Queensland Firebirds stalwart Romelda Aiken, then on maternity leave, and made every post a winner, with her meteoric rise ending in a spot in the Diamonds squad as a travelling reserve for the Commonwealth Games.

“To see her rise - she’s only been playing netball at this level for not very long at all, a lot of us have been playing since we were seven and going through the pathways - but for Donnell, it’s been a completely different journey,” Hadley said.

“To see her come through and just take everything in her stride (is incredible).

“For me, who debuted back in 2013, it’s super special and I can’t wait to see what she can do out there on court because her rise has been exceptional.

“And after what she’s been through, I can’t wait to go out there and do the thing that she loves most and that’s playing netball.”

NEW DIAMONDS LEADER UNVEILED FOR ENGLAND SERIES

Paige Hadley’s importance to the Diamonds’ set-up has been underlined by the announcement she will captain Australia in the three-Test series against England starting on Wednesday.

Diamonds coaching and selection staff have rested regular captain Liz Watson and her deputy Steph Wood from the England series to ensure Stacey Marinkovich has a chance to test her entire squad at international level ahead of next year’s World Cup.

They have named Hadley — the midcourter forced to watch the Constellation Cup from the sidelines while continuing rehab to ensure the calf injury that prevented her from playing in the Commonwealth Games finals had fully healed — as captain, with West Coast Fever skipper Courtney Bruce her deputy.

The pair, already members of the Diamonds’ leadership group, both skipper their Super Netball outfits and are not only seasoned players but well equipped to deal with the spotlight and scrutiny on the team in the wake of the collapse of the Hancock Prospecting sponsorship deal.

But that doesn’t mean Hadley was expecting a call-up.

When pulled aside for a chat by Marinkovich following the Constellation Cup decider on Sunday, the affable midcourter thought she was in some sort of trouble.

“I am still in shock,” Hadley said when speaking to News Corp ahead of Tuesday afternoon’s official announcement.

Paige Hadley captain Australia in the three-Test series against England. Picture: Getty Images

“Honestly, I thought I was in trouble when I walked outside, I didn’t think it was going to be that conversation.”

Instead, Hadley and Bruce were informed they would be captain and vice-captain for the England tour.

“It’s the biggest honour,” Hadley said.

“To represent your country is the ultimate and I feel so grateful.

“What’s happened in the last six months with Comm Games and injury and just trying to get back out there and be part of this team — obviously I missed out on the Constellation Cup to really rehab properly — I was itching to get back out on court and play netball, so honestly, I’m lost for words.

“Never in my journey of Diamonds would I have even thought that this was a possibility.

“It’s been so full of ups and downs in the green and gold, so it’s really special to be able to lead this group who I absolutely adore and love being a part of.”

The NSW Swifts co-captain is jumping into the fire at a crucial time for the Diamonds though.

“Obviously it’s not the ideal situation walking into but I’ve got amazing support,” Hadley said.

Paige Hadley will skipper the Diamonds alongside vice-captain Courtney Bruce (right) in the upcoming series against England.

“Lizzy (Watson) is going to be there for that first Test and we’re so close and we’re united, so I have no doubt that while I may be flipping the coin before a game, that leadership group doesn’t waver and we’re all there supporting each other.

“So I’m very grateful to have them on the journey as well.”

The Diamonds will play in front of a sellout crowd in Newcastle on Wednesday night and Hadley has no doubt the Australian team and netball in general remains marketable despite the events of the past week.

“Even being there (for the final Constellation Cup match) on Sunday night, I was on the backbench and watching in the crowd was just phenomenal,” Hadley said.

“People want to come out (and watch), most venues are being sold out on this Australian leg of the Con Cup and then the England series.

“People want to see the Diamonds live and in action and I think the brand and sport are doing amazing things and people want to be a part of that.”