Netball World Cup 2023: Courtney Bruce takes no notice of critics of her physical game style

In the face of criticism of Australia’s trademark hard physical defence, Courtney Bruce is unapologetic in fact, she says, she takes no notice.

Courtney Bruce has no poker face.

It’s perhaps the reason the outstanding Diamonds goalkeeper seems such a polarising figure in the game.

The West Coast Fever captain is an outstanding exponent of Australia’s trademark hard physical defence and seems to draw the ire of opposition shooters – and fans – whenever she hits the court.

Bruce is a player you love to have on your team and hate to have playing against you.

She cops barbs from opponents and has been the target of plenty of speculation this season in what some have seen as a campaign ahead of the World Cup to hone referees’ attention in on the Diamonds defender.

Courtney Bruce has no poker face. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Netball World Cup 2023 via Getty Images

Her clash with Silver Ferns goaler Grace Nweke in the Quad Series final in Cape Town earlier this year was a tough marking clash, with both players crashing to the floor as they challenged for the ball. But officials decided it needed no further attention.

That hasn’t stopped some, including Ferns coach Noeline Taurua, from bringing it up on several occasions though, in a move others, such as former Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander, have pointed to as a concerted campaign to influence umpires.

You wouldn’t know talking to Bruce though.

Criticism is like water off a duck’s back.

It’s not necessarily that Bruce is unaffected by the words – just that she tunes them out.

“I haven’t heard any (of the criticism), I’ve stayed away from the social side of all of that – and I guess with netball socials, it’s better for my mindset to be away from all of that,” Bruce said.

“I think that everyone that plays at the international level has a level of physicality to (their game).

“We all play to what the umpires call at any given time, so it is what it is.

“I’ve actually never rewatched back what happened (in the incident with Nweke), I’ve stayed away from it all.”

Bruce said every player stepping on the court at international level brought a certain amount of physicality, with the world game having evolved to adapt to that.

“I think if you’re not in the netball space and didn’t understand netball, you probably don’t understand how physical the game has become,” she said.

“But when you look at SSN (Super Netball) and then internationals, it is just part of the game now.”

Bruce receives the player of the match award against Zimbabwe. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Netball World Cup 2023

Certainly, the hard one-on-one style is the Australian way – and if Bruce wasn’t making life hard for opposition goalers, she’d likely be dragged from the game pretty quickly.

“It is the style that we play and if we weren’t playing it, we’d definitely get told off by the coaches,” Bruce said.

“I think the best thing about this group is that all of our defenders, and all of our middies, and all of our shooters play that way and are such strong athletes.

“When you step out go out on that court, everyone is as strong and physical (as each other). So maybe some of the hits look like a bit more than they have been in previous years.”

It’s had no effect on the West Coast Fever captain on court though, Bruce starting her World Cup campaign with a player of the match effort in the Diamonds’ clash against Zimbabwe.

In just half a game on court, Bruce finished with eight gains, including four deflections, as Australia pushed to an 86-30 victory.

Although just one player in a squad of 12, Bruce’s actions seem to be focused on more than any other.

Courtney Bruce doesn’t hear the criticism of her physical style of play. Picture: Chloe Knott/Getty Images for England Netball

In a column for Code Sports published earlier this week, Alexander said the debate coming from across the ditch was a tactic to rattle the Diamonds and seek to influence the umpires when Bruce finally goes head-to-head again with Nweke in South Africa.

“It is a battle that could decide the World Cup, so I’m not surprised they’ve launched this attack on Australia’s most influential defender,” Alexander said.

And while Bruce says she hasn’t been listening, Alexander hopes the hype has not affected her mental welfare leading into the World Cup.

“By targeting a particular player, in this case Bruce, the pile-on nature of social media can have a profound effect on a player’s mental health,” Alexander said.

“I support Netball Australia’s stance on reminding their fans about the nature of support for the players, coaches and umpires on social media.

“All involved in a Netball World Cup are giving their very best in every moment and will make mistakes, as is the case in any world-class level of pursuit, they do not deserve to have their character called into question.”

Originally published as Netball World Cup 2023: Courtney Bruce takes no notice of critics of her physical game style