Queensland Firebirds defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran confirmed as Australian captain for the Fast5 Netball World Series, new-look team named

Australia has confirmed its team leaders and a number of squad changes ahead of its Fast5 Netball World Series title defence in Christchurch this weekend.

Defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran has been named captain for Australia’s Fast5 Netball World Series title defence as key changes to the squad that will be chasing a hat-trick of crowns at the event in New Zealand were confirmed.

As Australia targets a third straight Fast5 series victory, the Queensland Firebirds goal defence will lead the team alongside vice-captain and Adelaide Thunderbirds midcourter Tayla Williams for the two-day tournament in Christchurch this weekend.

Defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran has been named as Australian captain for the Fast5 Netball World Series in Christchurch. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The Australian team leaders were named as the team finalises its preparations in New Zealand with several changes to the original squad which was named in August.

New South Wales defender Teigan O’Shannassy, originally named as a reserve, has been elevated to the team to replace Melbourne Vixens goal keeper Rudi Ellis, who comes out of the line-up after her Diamonds’ selection.

Giants midcourter Amy Sligar has also been elevated to the team for Vixens young gun Zara Walters (injury management), while Firebirds’ defender Isabelle Shearer has been added as a defensive reserve.

The Aussies will face off against traditional netball rivals New Zealand, England, Jamaica, South Africa and Uganda in the modified and fast-paced format, which will this year feature a trial of three new rules – the length of the power play period, changes to power play points and using possession of the ball.

In her first time representing Australia in Fast5, Bakewell-Doran said it was a “huge honour” to be named as captain and said she was focused on helping deliver the team a third straight world series win.

“We are all so competitive as a group, so that is definitely a challenge that we have all accepted,” Bakewell-Doran said.

“We are obviously a very new team and I think that is what is really cool about Fast5 is that it sort of is an evolving door … it’s that challenge to form connections and work together as a team in a really short amount of time.

“For us, we have so many different super powers in our group and the moment we get them to connect will be a pretty strong force to take on.”

Bakewell-Doran will lead Australia alongside vice-captain, Adelaide Thunderbirds’ midcourter Tayla Williams. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Netball Australia’s pathway head coach Anita Keelan will take the reins of the Aussies with support from West Coast Fever talent coach Guy Keane for the five-a-side format, which features shorter quarters, multiple point shots, power plays and unlimited substitutions.

Australia secured back-to-back Fast5 titles with a 35-23 win over New Zealand at last year’s world series in Christchurch.

The Fast5 world series has provided a platform for Australia’s rising stars to gain crucial experience on the international stage, helping blood potential future Diamonds.

Bakewell-Doran, 25, said there was plenty of “untapped” talent in the Fast5 squad.

“The young talent in this group is so untapped, it’s unreal,” Bakewell-Doran said.

“They’ve all proven that in ways throughout the SSN season, hence their selection.

“It’s just so exciting to be doing that alongside them and watching them play the way that we all know they are capable of playing.”

Bakewell-Doran admitted the Fast5 rule changes were an adjustment, but said the modified format offered her more freedom to “hunt” the ball as a defender.

“Playing a very typical Australian way in terms of defending that really hard one-on-one grind for 60 minutes, it’s a bit more freeing playing Fast5,” Bakewell-Doran said.

“You obviously have the moments when you are in a one-on-one and that hard contest, but you do have more freedom to come and have a hunt and have a look for ball, which is really fun as a defender.”

Originally published as Queensland Firebirds defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran confirmed as Australian captain for the Fast5 Netball World Series, new-look team named