New Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich says she didn’t tell Caitlin Bassett to leave Australia for more game time

New Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich denies she played a part in Caitlin Bassett’s decision to move to New Zealand as she searches for more court time to press her national claims.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 16: Caitlin Bassett of Australia reacts from the bench during the 2019 Constellation Cup match between the New Zealand Silver Ferns and the Australia Diamonds at Spark Arena on October 16, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

New Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich says she had no influence on national captain Caitlin Bassett’s decision to leave Super Netball despite being a sounding board for her imminent move to New Zealand.

Bassett confirmed last week she would sever ties with the Sydney-based Giants and the final year of her Super Netball contract to cross the ditch and play with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership.

The star shooter said she was “frustrated” at being underused by the Giants and needed more court time to press her national claims.

Caitlin Bassett is determined to prove she isn’t finished on the international scene.

Bassett discussed the issue with Marinkovich, who this week leads the West Coast Fever into the Super Netball grand final against the Vixens.

But the national coach said it was not her role to help players leave Australia.

“First and foremost Caitlin needed to make that decision for herself, it’s certainly not in my scope as the national coach to move or shift any players within leagues,” said Marinkovich.

”The selection policy enables her to be able to go there (to New Zealand) and put her best performances out there and go against the same selection criteria as everyone else to make that Diamonds team.”

Bassett severed ties with the Giants to gain greater playing time after spending much of the 2020 season on the bench.

“Caitlin needed to be in a place where she’s enjoying her netball and to get out on court was a key part of her decision making,” Marinkovich said.

Stacey Marinkovich says it’s not her role to help players leave Australia.

But she warned the goal shooter would have to be at her best in every interaction with the Australian team to retain her Diamonds place.

“She’s going to have to set up that system over in New Zealand to make sure that when she comes back into a Diamonds training camp she’s performing at her very best as well,” Marinkovich said.

Bassett was named in the Diamonds squad last month and will take part in a training camp with the group on the Sunshine Coast following the completion of the Super Netball season.

Australia’s four-Test Constellation Cup series against New Zealand, initially scheduled for October, has been postponed until early 2021 due to travel and quarantine requirements due to COVID-19.

Originally published as New Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich says she didn’t tell Caitlin Bassett to leave Australia for more game time