Netball World Cup 2023: Diamonds’ sole Cup winner chasing repeat success

Paige Hadley has tasted both sweet success and the bitterness of defeat in her decade-long Diamonds career. She’ll be drawing on both as she chases World Cup glory.

Few players understand the roller coaster of elite netball better than Paige Hadley.

Currently in South Africa preparing for the opening game of the World Cup on Friday, Hadley is the only Diamonds player to have tasted success in the sport’s pinnacle tournament.

That 2015 win at a home World Cup in Sydney had Hadley tasting ultimate success off the bench just days ahead of her 23rd birthday.

Fast forward eight years and Hadley will be a key member of Australia’s midcourt in the tournament starting just days after her 31st birthday.

For all of Hadley’s achievements in the sport, few feelings can match that high of being crowned a World Cup champion.

It’s one she hopes can be replicated on August 6 – or the early hours of August 7 for those watching on from Australia – when the Diamonds hope to be running out in the World Cup final in Cape Town.

Hadley is the only Diamond that has the experience of World Cup glory. Photo: Getty Images

More than anyone though, Hadley knows that won’t be easy.

In the eight years since that Sydney success – which came on the back of recovery from a knee reconstruction – Hadley has captained the NSW Swifts to two premierships, missed the 2018 Commonwealth Games through form and injury issues and won Games gold last year watching the majority of the tournament from the bench after a nasty calf tear.

Also a member of the 2019 team that lost the World Cup final by a single goal, Hadley is familiar with the agony of despair – and knows which she wants to be feeling on August 6.

“To be there and not take that opportunity in 2019 to win and lose by one, it’s just heartbreak,” Hadley said.

“The sacrifices, what you do in the lead-up – it’s not just about that one moment, there’s so many moments that lead to that – and it’s absolute heartbreak not to get it.

“And then the complete opposite in 2015 to be there and be a part of it and to win it, it’s just the absolute highest of highs.

“There’s no feeling quite like winning that gold medal with your best mates and representing your country – they’re polarising feelings.”

Hadley has seen it all in her time with the Diamonds. Photo: Getty Images

Hadley headed into camp with the Diamonds a fortnight ago off the back of another disappointment having lost an overtime thriller in the Super Netball grand final with the Swifts.

Less than an hour after that loss to the Adelaide Thunderbirds though, she already had her mind focused on the national team.

“Funnily enough, I was in this position in 2015 – I lost the grand final by one and then I went on to win the gold with Australia,” Hadley said in a press conference in the bowels of John Cain Arena.

“When you go to play a World Cup, your motivation is there and more than ever, seeing (Thunderbirds international duo) Shamera (Sterling) and Eleanor (Cardwell), win that (grand final), I want to make sure Australia win that gold medal – and that’s what our job is.

“When I get in that green and gold environment I know the girls will wrap their arms around me and off we go on our journey to the World Cup.”

Hadley’s Swifts suffered a heartbreaking Super Netball Grand Final loss. Photo: Getty Images

Hadley will be a hugely important part of Australia’s campaign.

Her form over the past two years has helped the Diamonds regain almost every piece of silverware in the sport – bar the World Cup – and she also captained the national team at the end of last year in the absence of Liz Watson and Steph Wood.

But it’s only now that she’s able to really open up about how much it hurt to miss most of last year’s Commonwealth Games – a campaign she called “devastating”.

“Whilst that gold medal was an absolute dream, it wasn’t the way I had dreamt about it,” Hadley said of having to sit out most of the tournament with a calf tear.

“So I really want to take the opportunity at World Cup to be up on that world stage and see what I can do against the best players in the world.

“I think being able to be there for my teammates and just being an absolute support (in Birmingham was important) but now being able to be on that court and be a part of it … I can’t wait to be out there with this group and seeing what I personally can do and for the team what we collectively can do.”

Paige Hadley training with the Australian Diamonds ahead of their World Cup appearance in South Africa. Photo: Jake Nowakowski

But having seen huge growth in the sport since her Diamonds debut a decade ago, Hadley knows success in Cape Town won’t come easily.

“I think this is a World Cup like no other to be honest,” Hadley said.

“I feel like a lot of countries are at their pinnacle. Every country will be preparing like they are going to be in that final gold medal match.

“It’s not going to be like a normal World Cup where (everyone says) ‘it’s probably going to be between Australia and New Zealand’.

“It could be anyone. And that’s what you want as an athlete. You want that challenge. You want to be able to bring your best every game.

“A lot of countries are going to be thinking that this is their time – their preparation, having (had players exposed to) Super Netball for a few years and all that development.

“Their time is now.”

Originally published as Netball World Cup 2023: Diamonds’ sole Cup winner chasing repeat success