Netball 2023: Australia’s Fast5 team announced to defend world championship title in New Zealand
Australia’s Fast5 title defence will be future focused with a number of young guns named to take the court at the world championships in Christchurch next month.
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Australia has looked to the future for its Fast5 netball defence, with a host of young gems named to head to Christchurch for next month’s world championships.
Australia won the title for the first time last year under NSW Swifts head coach Briony Akle, who will hand the coaching reins to Diamonds assistant Nicole Richardson for the November 11-12 titles.
Diamonds squad member Matilda Garrett, who is expected to make her debut against South Africa in the three-match series starting in Cairns next week, has been named in the 10 member squad.
Three of the four players invited to camp with the Diamonds ahead of the Constellation Cup – shooter Tippah Dwan, defender Ash Ervin and midcourter Hannah Mundy – are also in the team.
Mundy was part of last year’s winning squad, as were Lucy Austin and Georgie Horjus, who will also return this year.
Adelaide Thunderbirds premiership players Hannah Petty and Tayla Williams have also been named, as have NSW Swifts young guns Sophie Fawns and Teigan O’Shannassy.
Rudi Ellis has been named the reserve defender, with Matisse Letherbarrow the reserve shooter.
“This is a great opportunity to expose our aspiring Diamonds athletes to international netball while developing their abilities on the court and as a cohort,” Richardson said.
“We are looking forward to embracing the Fast5 format while embedding Diamonds specific skill sets which transfer well across both formats of the game.
“I am thrilled to be coaching this group of talented athletes alongside some excellent support staff, including my former teammate Natalie Avellino, and look forward to seeing our efforts on display in Christchurch.”
Originally published as Netball 2023: Australia’s Fast5 team announced to defend world championship title in New Zealand
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