ii 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
CONTENTS 1 WELCOME FROM NETBALL AUSTRALIA 2
WELCOME FROM QUEENSLAND
3
REMEMBERING MARIE LITTLE OAM
4 - 5
TEAM PREVIEWS
6
CONSTELLATION CUP TEAM FACTS
10
GRETEL TIPPETT
12 - 13
DIAMONDS RETIREMENTS
14
SAMSUNG AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS SQUAD
15
NEW ZEALAND SILVER FERNS SQUAD
16 - 17
NEW ZEALAND REBUILD
18
PRE-MATCH MEAL PLAN
20 - 21
CLARE FERGUSON Q&A
22
A BATTLE OF KNOWLEDGE
24 WORLD CUP: A LOOK BACK/FORWARD 26 FAST5 NETBALL WORLD SERIES AUSTRALIA TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 27
2018 INTERNATIONAL TEST SERIES OPENING DOORS FOR AUSTRALIAN UMPIRES
WELCOME FROM NETBALL AUSTRALIA The ninth Constellation Cup will see the two heavyweights of international netball in the Samsung Australian Diamonds and New Zealand Silver Ferns locking horns once again in what has always been become a fiercely competitive on-court rivalry. With the performances of the Silver Ferns going from strength-to-strength in the recent Quad Series and the Diamonds winning all three of their games, we can expect a hotly contested contest. We are creating history by taking international netball to Townsville for the first time. With such a wide spread love of our game across communities far and wide, we’re thrilled to be taking international netball to a number of regional locations in 2018.
With a number of Australian retirements, this 2018 International Test Series action is also giving us our first insight into the next wave of exciting Diamonds. Thank you to our valued broadcast partners, Nine and Telstra, all our commercial partners including our Naming Rights partner Samsung, Principal Partner AIS and Major Partners Deakin, Nissan, Suncorp and Woolworths. I thank you for your ongoing support of netball in Australia and globally. The fans are such an important part of our sport and the reason why netball continues to keep growing in Australia.
The Constellation Cup will mark the final time the Diamonds play on Australian soil before the much-anticipated Netball World Cup 2019 in Liverpool, England.
All information is correct in this program at time of print 02/10/2018
MARNE FECHNER Chief Executive Officer, Netball Australia
2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP 1
WELCOME FROM QUEENSLAND Welcome to Queensland as we kick off the 2018 Constellation Cup, which will see Australia battle it out with New Zealand. This event is sure to attract netball fans across the country to witness live netball action between these two heavyweight international teams. Queensland is home to world-class netball, having earlier this year hosted teams from around the world during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. More recently, the Sunshine Coast Lightning were crowned the 2018 Suncorp Super Netball champions in back-to-back premierships, generating significant exposure for the state.
The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support the 2018 Constellation Cup Test matches in Brisbane and Townsville through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events Program, which helps drive visitation, increase expenditure, support jobs and foster community pride. I want to thank all those involved in making this match a success and I encourage you to make the most of the many tourism experiences on offer in Queensland.
THE HON KATE JONES MP
I am delighted that for the first-time regional Queensland will host an international netball match, demonstrating the growth of the sport and generating strong outcomes for the state’s economy.
Minister for Tourism Industry Development
CONSTELLATION CUP FIXTURE MATCH
LOCATION
DATE
AEST
AUS v NZL
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, AUS
Sun 7 Oct
12.00pm
AUS v NZL
Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, Townsville, AUS
Wed 10 Oct
6.30pm
NZL v AUS
Claudelands Arena, Hamilton, NZL
Sun 14 Oct
1.00pm
NZL v AUS
TSB Bank Arena, Wellington, NZL
Thurs 18 Oct
4.30pm
2 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
REMEMBERING MARIE LITTLE oam With the Marie Little Shield (MLS) heading to Queensland for the first time, we caught up with Sport Inclusion Australia CEO Robyn Smith to remember the woman the shield is fittingly named after. The MLS is a netball championship and opportunity for women with an intellectual disability to compete at a national level. Little travelled to Sweden in the early eighties to attend an international forum on normalisation, it was here she was inspired and wanted to bring inclusion to sport in Australia. “Marie was totally inspired to focus on a person’s worth and ability while providing them with an opportunity to be a valued and integrated member into mainstream community life,” said Smith. “She remained strong with her belief that sport was ultimately responsible for all of their players and lobbied hard to have successful examples of integration showcased. Her vision and foresight has seen many National Sporting Organisations work towards opening their doors to all Australians, regardless of ability.” Little founded AUSRAPID, now known as Sports Inclusion Australia in 1985 and was President until her retirement in 2011. The national sporting organisation aims to assist the inclusion of people with an intellectual disability into the mainstream community using sport as the medium.
“She never took no for an answer, ensuring that when sports were developing programs, that those programs were reflective of the whole community.” With the shield now into its sixth year, Smith is thrilled to see people watch and experience how powerful it can be to see people enjoying sport and playing to the best of their ability. Awarded an order of Australia medal in 2006, Little was also the first female president of the Australian Paralympic Committee and the first female member elected to the International Paralympic Committee. “She was an influential person and a pioneer in inclusion in sport and it’s only fitting that the competition is called the Marie Little Shield,” said Smith. All six Australian states have competed against each other in the MLS from the 5-7 October, at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, with the Grand Final being staged just ahead of the Samsung Australian Diamonds and New Zealand Silver Ferns game. Visit www.netball.com.au for full details.
Smith felt honoured to work under Little describing her as a great mentor and leader. “Marie advocated very strongly for people with an intellectual impairment who may have had a quiet or unheard voice,” said Smith.
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2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP 3
TEAM SAMSUNG AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS There could be no better lead-in to an emotioncharged Constellation Cup for the Samsung Australian Diamonds than a three-game clean sweep of some of the world’s best netballing nations, in the recent 2018 Quad Series. Any doubts about what life would be like without a quartet of Diamonds legends were answered - loudly - in the 2018 Netball Quad Series by our next generation of young stars. And yet there’s little time for celebration as Australia faces off in what promises to be four bruising Tests against a rejuvenated, well-led New Zealand Silver Ferns outfit that’s growing in confidence by the day. Adding further to the challenge that the Constellation Cup presents, is the loss of midcourt stalwart Kim Ravaillion, who is taking an extended break from the national team. Her absence will ask big questions of her team mates. It does, however, present opportunities for the next wave of young Aussie stars to stake their claim as the future of the green and gold. Wing attack Kelsey Browne’s first three Tests as a Diamond have been nothing short of exceptional, with the Victorian looking right at home in the cauldron of international netball. The Melbourne Vixens captain Kate Moloney, meanwhile, will get the chance to add to her three international caps, and young gun Jamie-Lee Price could become the next deserving debutant after being named for the final two Tests over in New Zealand.
72%
Constellation Cup Win Rate (games)
4 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
With goal keeper Courtney Bruce unleashing arguably her finest performance for the Diamonds to date in the final match of the Quad Series, and with enviable depth in the Aussie goal circle, the new-look Diamonds appear poised to take the next step in the coming weeks, with an eye towards the ultimate glory at next year’s World Cup.
PREVIEWS NEW ZEALAND SILVER FERNS They’re back. Those who were prepared to write the Silver Ferns off after a disappointing Commonwealth Games campaign clearly underestimated just how proud this netballing nation is. If the Ferns’ Quad Series performances are a snapshot of life under new coach Noeline Taurua, the Samsung Australian Diamonds will need to be at their absolute best if they’re to retain the Constellation Cup. Laura Langman has slipped back into the side as if she never left, Maria Folau shook off some struggles against England to remind everyone why she’s so feared and revered, with dominant displays against South Africa and Australia, and Aliyah Dunn gave New Zealanders a glimpse of an intensely bright future for the national team. Now, of course, comes the real challenge: delivering four world class performances in a row against the world’s number one-ranked team. It’s been six years since the Silver Ferns last hoisted the Constellation Cup, with their last five series against the Diamonds yielding just four wins from 21 Tests. But a 24-goal demolition of South Africa and a five-goal loss against the Aussies proves they’re close to their best once again. There’s a sense that the Silver Ferns are building with each and every performance, however what could be the most telling is that Taurua is far from happy with honourable losses. There will be no room for meek and mild displays on Taurua’s watch, with the master coach lamenting what she perceived as a lack of fight at times throughout the Quad Series. One thing’s for sure: the Ferns will be better prepared for whatever the Diamonds throw at them than at any time in recent history, and will be hell-bent on making a major statement against their trans-Tasman rivals.
28%
Constellation Cup Win Rate (games)
2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP 5
CONSTELLATION CUP TEAM FACTS 193cm
AGE
Average Height
182cm 164cm
CAITLIN THWAITES Oldest Player
31
26
SAMSUNG DIAMONDS Average Age
JAMIE-LEE PRICE Youngest Player
22
HEIGHT AVERAGE HEIGHT: 182cm TALLEST PLAYER: 193cm Caitlin Bassett
SHORTEST PLAYER: 164cm Kelsey Browne
GOALS SCORED CAITLIN BASSETT:
2436 goals from 2700 attempts
CAITLIN THWAITES:
829 goals from 918 attempts
STEPH WOOD:
197 goals from 242 attempts
GRETEL TIPPETT:
135 goals from 171 attempts
TEST CAPS
86
CAITLIN BASSETT Most Capped Player
6 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
90% 90% 81% 78%
LISA ALEXANDER
83
GAMES WITH
83%
WIN RATE
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BRISBANE
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15 – 17 Mar
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GRETEL TIPPETT Resurgent Samsung Australian Diamonds star Gretel Tippett doesn’t always mean to do the layups and jump passes that might have some netball purists covering their eyes. In fact, the 25-year-old says she’s actively working on finding a balance between delivering the consistency her team needs, and occasionally throwing in something for the highlight reel. After arguably the best individual Suncorp Super Netball season of her career, and a stunning return to the Diamonds line-up in the Quad Series, she might just have found that equilibrium.
“That’s something I’m continuously trying to work on: making those good decisions and when to play patient netball and when to add some flair,” the Queensland Firebirds goal attack says. “I don’t intentionally try to add the flair, it just kind of happens,” she laughs. “Sometimes I don’t even know how or why, but I just love being out there.”
“Making those good decisions is something that I think that throughout my career I’ll continuously be working on.” Tippett’s performances for the Firebirds this year could hardly have been more impressive, with 283 goals at almost 90% accuracy in the home and away season, along with 238 goal assists. Her season was something of a statement, after she missed the final cut for Australia’s Commonwealth Games team. Having been sent back with a list of things to work on, she dutifully ticked every box that she could, in the hope of earning her way back into the green and gold.
“I learnt a lot in that time, in terms of things I needed to improve on if I wanted to put my hand up for selection later on. So I really knuckled down on those things,” she says. Having been elevated back into the Diamonds fold, the real test came in the final match of the Quad Series, when she was handed the starting goal attack bib against the New Zealand Silver Ferns. The statistics and the result speak for themselves: fourteen goals from 14 attempts, along with 17 goal assists (more than any Diamonds midcourter), and a 60-55 victory to boot. She was back in a big way. If there’s ever a time to demonstrate how much Tippett has matured as a player, it’s in the coming weeks, as she stares down four Constellation Cup Tests against New Zealand.
“I think it’s going to be a real challenge, but one that we’re looking forward to. We really want to put our best foot forward,” she says. “They’ve got so much experience within that group with Maria (Folau) and (Laura) Langman and they definitely have all the tools to be successful, so we know it’s going to be a hard fight, for sure.” On current evidence, it’s abundantly clear that Tippett now has all the tools to be incredibly successful, too.
10 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP 11
DIAMONDS RETIREMENTS No sooner had the Samsung Diamonds’ Commonwealth Games campaign finished, attention turned to selections for the next assignment: this International Test Series. With the 2018 International Test Series in full flow, it’s hard not to notice that something’s missing. Well, four things, in fact. For the first time in a long, long time, the Samsung Australian Diamonds will enter an international campaign without any one of Sharni Layton, Laura Geitz, Madi Robinson or Susan Pettitt in the green and gold. Indeed, many young fans will never have witnessed a Samsung Diamonds game without one of the star quartet featured in it. It was Pettitt who debuted for her country first, when she was selected in the 2006 Commonwealth Games side. That would be the first of three Commonwealth Games silver medals for the goaler, who 12 years later sits at equal-13th on the list of the most capped Samsung Diamonds of all time. Her 71 tests included a victory at the 2007 World Championships, and her ability to hold down both goal shooter and goal attack with equal aplomb mark her as one of the most versatile goalers to have ever pulled on a Samsung Diamonds dress. Matching Pettitt’s 71 Diamonds appearances is Geitz, who exits the game as not only one of the greatest Diamonds of all time, but one of Australian sport’s greatest ever captains. In 2014, she led the Diamonds to victory at the Commonwealth Games, ending Australia’s 12-year drought at the event, and she was again at the helm in 2015 when the Diamonds claimed the Netball World Cup. Few, if any, players will ever be as revered among both her peers and rivals as the Queenslander. Samsung Diamonds fans might feel a sense of relief that Kelsey Browne has entered the team as sister Madi Robinson finishes her time in the green and gold. This is because Browne might be one of the few players who’ll ever be able 12 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
to match the flair and creativity that Robinson brought to the national team. Her 61 caps were as good as you’ll ever see from a wing attack, and saw her capture the Liz Ellis Diamond and the International Player of the Year awards in both 2012 and 2014. And then there’s Sharni. Our beloved Sharni Layton. The undeniable face (and voice!) of netball in this country in recent years, the Victorian’s 46 test caps were laced with an intensity and ferocious spirit that we’ll probably never see replicated. She remains a crowd favourite for her deeds both on and off the court, and deservedly so. So while the next crop of Australian stars do us all proud throughout this International Test Series, take a moment to remember and appreciate the outstanding quartet of superstars who blazed the brightest of trails for them.
SAMSUNG AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS SQUAD
LISA ALEXANDER Head Coach
JESSICA ANSTISS Positions: C, WD DOB: 20/11/1996 Height: 171cm Test Caps: 0
APRIL BRANDLEY Positions: GD, GK DOB: 19/04/1990 Height: 185cm Test Caps: 29
CAITLIN BASSETT Positions: GS DOB: 23/05/1988 Height: 193cm Test Caps: 86
KELSEY BROWNE Positions: WA, C DOB: 17/01/1992 Height: 164cm Test Caps: 3
COURTNEY BRUCE Positions: GK, GD DOB: 08/12/1993 Height: 189cm Test Caps: 20
SARAH KLAU Positions: GK, GD DOB: 30/09/1994 Height: 190cm Test Caps: 0
EMILY MANNIX Positions: GK, GD DOB: 16/04/1994 Height: 188cm Test Caps: 3
KATE MOLONEY Positions: C DOB: 08/01/1993 Height: 177cm Test Caps: 3
TEGAN PHILIP Positions: GA, GS DOB: 03/09/1988 Height: 175cm Test Caps: 12
JAMIE-LEE PRICE Positions: WD, C DOB: 10/01/1996 Height: 179cm Test Caps: 0
GABI SIMPSON Positions: WD, C DOB: 17/10/1992 Height: 176cm Test Caps: 35
CAITLIN THWAITES Positions: GS, GA DOB: 29/12/1986 Height: 188cm Test Caps: 42
GRETEL TIPPETT Positions: GA, WA, GS DOB: 03/07/1993 Height: 191cm Test Caps: 19
LIZ WATSON Positions: C, WA DOB: 30/03/1994 Height: 178cm Test Caps: 25
JO WESTON Positions: GD, GK, WD DOB: 14/02/1994 Height: 188cm Test Caps: 20
STEPHANIE WOOD Positions: GA, WA DOB: 28/11/1991 Height: 175cm Test Caps: 17
14 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
NEW ZEALAND
SILVER FERNS SQUAD
NOELINE TAURUA Head Coach
KARIN BURGER Positions: GK, GD, WD DOB: 12/04/1993 Height: 184cm Test Caps: 2
GINA CRAMPTON Positions: WA, C DOB: 07/12/1991 Height: 174cm Test Caps: 19
ALIYAH DUNN Positions: GA, GS DOB: 19/10/1999 Height: 190cm Test Caps: 2
AMELIARANNE EKENASIO Positions: GS, GA DOB: 11/01/1991 Height: 186cm Test Caps: 22
MARIA FOLAU Positions: GA, GS DOB: 18/02/1987 Height: 188cm Test Caps: 131
KATRINA GRANT Positions: GK, GD, WD DOB: 06/05/1987 Height: 186cm Test Caps: 121
KELLY JURY Positions: GK, GD DOB: 22/10/1996 Height: 192cm Test Caps: 22
CASEY KOPUA Positions: GK,GD DOB: 19/06/1985 Height: 188cm Test Caps: 101
LAURA LANGMAN Positions: C, WA, WD DOB: 16/04/1986 Height: 172cm Test Caps: 144
TE PAEA SELBY-RICKIT BAILEY MES Positions: GS, GA, WA Positions: GS, GA DOB: 14/01/1992 DOB: 27/05/1989 Height: 188cm Height: 186cm Test Caps: 33 Test Caps: 63
SAMANTHA SINCLAIR Positions: C, WA, WD DOB: 05/06/1995 Height: 171cm Test Caps: 28
MICHAELA SOKOLICH-BEATSON Positions: GD, WD DOB: 02/10/1996 Height: 184cm Test Caps: 10
ELISAPETA TOEAVA Positions: WA, C DOB: 10/03/1994 Height: 161cm Test Caps: 1
MAIA WILSON Positions: GS DOB: 21/09/1997 Height: 187cm Test Caps: 7
JANE WATSON Positions: GK, GD, WD DOB: 07/03/1990 Height: 181cm Test Caps: 22
2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP 15
NEW ZEALAND REBUILD
THREE GAMES... That’s all it took for the New Zealand Silver Ferns to answer any questions about how long it might take them to re-establish themselves as potential world-beaters, after their worst Commonwealth Games result in history. With new coach Noeline Taurua at the helm of the national team (but only for a matter of weeks) and midcourt legend Laura Langman back in the fold (but for only slightly longer), the rebuild looked like a very long-term proposition when the Silver Ferns capitulated to England by 13 goals in their Quad Series opener. And yet just two Tests later, the Ferns enter the Constellation Cup as a real threat to the Samsung Australian Diamonds’ hopes of taking home a sixth consecutive Cup, and an eighth out of nine overall. For Langman, who spent the better part of two years out of the national side, Taurua’s fingerprints are all over the group’s rapid improvement, which saw them trounce South Africa by 24 goals and lose to Australia by only five.
“If you were to talk to anyone else in the group, there has definitely been quite a significant shift in the environment,” Langman says. “She (Taurua) does really put that accountability back on the player. You need to know what you need as a player to prepare, and essentially when it comes to training time or game time, it’s that readiness, whether you’re feeling 100% or you’re feeling 50%, that as a player you’ve got to perform.” “It’s that mentality where I feel like we’ve made some good progress.” Langman says she was a very passive observer over the past two international seasons, as the 16 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
Silver Ferns failed to win a match in the most recent Constellation Cup series and were then beaten by Jamaica in the bronze medal game at the Commonwealth Games.
“You kind of watch but you’re not watching,” she says. “I was aware of what was going on, but I guess no one really knows what’s going on but the group that was there. I probably wasn’t sitting there watching intently.” The starkest difference, in her mind, is not knowing which version of the mighty Silver Ferns was going to turn up from game to game, or even quarter to quarter.
“I’ve been really impressed by the intent of the group and the willingness to step up and learn. It’s always a fine line when time’s not on your side in terms of how fast you can move things. I feel like we have a group that’s really willing to work and push the boundaries, so that’s exciting.” While Langman admits there are few things tougher than stepping up in four back-to-back Tests against the Diamonds, they’ll be out there playing with renewed pride and passion that were the hallmarks of Silver Ferns teams of yesteryear. You’d be brave to write them off.
“The most glaringly obvious aspect of the Ferns over the last few years is our inability to be consistent in our performances,” she says. “We need to be able to back up. We can’t be a team that wins once in a while, it needs to be a habit. We’ve certainly identified that consistent performance in everything we do, not just on game day but how we prepare ourselves for camp, how we perform at trainings, the whole package.” Quite clearly there are already green shoots of growth from the Ferns under Taurua, but how rapidly those shoots have appeared might have be a shock to some. But not to Langman, who’s already witnessed a change in the squad’s focus and its determination to get back to the top of world netball.
“Right from the onset Noeline has been really clear in terms of we need to make sure we’re learning in real time (on court) and continuing to progress,” she says.
17
P R E-M ATC H M E A L P L A N Have you ever wondered what a high-performing professional athlete will normally eat on match day? Then here’s the Samsung Australian Diamonds Performance Dietitian Kerry Leech giving a few examples of what a Samsung Diamond player might consume in and around game time.
DINNER-NIGHT BEFORE
Pasta with a tomato-based sauce or pesto
A choice of steak, chicken or salmon with a top up of food from the buffet including steamed rice, pasta, potato or sweet potato complimented with salad or vegetables
Grilled or poached chicken, steamed rice and salad
Or
Low fat muffins, yoghurts and fruits that the players will often take as a snack for later Water or Hydralyte for fluids
Pasta with either bolognese sauce or pesto FINISHED WITH A fruit platter to finish the meal. Water is the drink of choice
PRE-GAME A light and small snack, just before the players leave for the courts or at the courts – such as:
BREAKFAST
Cut up fruit, a muesli bar, banana bread or pikelets
Very light meals - cereal with milk, yoghurt or toast
Dried fruit and nuts are all on the snack table.
A larger breakfast will consist of toast with avocado and eggs (always a favourite)
Drinks – a coffee, but generally it is water or Hydralyte
Drink – water or maybe an electrolyte drink
RECOVERY FOOD
LUNCH (THE PRE-MATCH MEAL)
After the game, we try to have some food or drink to replace fuel used during the game
Soup and a make your own sandwich bar with breads, rolls and wraps filled with either lean sliced meats or chicken
Examples of this are fruit, sports drinks, yoghurt or protein bars
DINNER Steak, fish or chicken or maybe a treat style meal – pizza or make your own burgers are often a favourite We often add a dessert choice as well – ice cream, sorbet or maybe a fruit crumble
18 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
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2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP 19
CLARE FERGUSON WITH THE QUAD SERIES BEHIND US AND THE CONSTELLATION CUP RIVALRY READY TO REIGNITE, SAMSUNG AUSTRALIAN DIAMONDS SPECIALIST COACH AND SUNCORP SUPER NETBALL COMMENTATOR CLARE FERGUSON SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON HOW THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL SEASON HAS GONE SO FAR. What were your biggest takeaways from the Quad Series? It was just such an exciting series, in terms of the variety we saw from all of the teams and how they all evolved across their three games. There was immense growth within all of the line-ups and that’s really exciting heading into the Constellation Cup, particularly given New Zealand’s performance across their three Test matches.
The Samsung Diamonds came away undefeated from their three games. What impressed you about those performances? What was exciting from the Diamonds’ perspective was being able to see some fresh faces out on court and to see some less experienced Diamonds have an opportunity to solidify themselves a bit more. Look at players like Courtney Bruce coming away with two ‘player of the match’ awards from the Quad Series. She’s not a new face within the Diamonds line-up but she’s relatively inexperienced at international level, so with the departure of players like Laura Geitz and Sharni Layton, it’s really allowing Courtney to come into her own within that environment, and it was exciting for her to start to grow and evolve as a defender and gain some confidence. Having Kelsey Browne also included in the line-up was a beautiful changeup in terms of the pace and variety that she brings on court. With Gretel Tippett also being provided with an opportunity we were also able to see that change in combination and provide her with a bit more international experience. What would you like to see from the Samsung Diamonds as they prepare to take on the Silver Ferns in the Constellation Cup? We haven’t necessarily used the full depth and variety of our squad or our team yet, so that would be wonderful to be able to do moving forward.
DIAMONDS CHAMPION MEDIA PERSONALITY 20
Q&A What about the Kiwis? Are they back as an international force? New Zealand has shown such immense change and growth in their playing style during the Quad Series, but it’s also the confidence that Noeline Taurua has brought to that squad and that environment, along with the inclusion of Laura Langman. The performance they put out against South Africa was absolutely dominant, and besides the first quarter they matched the Diamonds quarter for quarter for the rest of the game. It’s very clear that there’s a change in the tide with what the Silver Ferns are producing now. They’re throwing out fresh faces and putting a very clear structure out on court - they seem to have a lot more clarity and a lot more awareness of who they are, and I feel like we’re starting to see the rebuilding of the Silver Ferns and the growth of a team that has the capacity to do pretty amazing things. With both teams in great form, is the Constellation Cup rivalry as heated as it’s ever been? It’s got that excitement of the Test matches of old. Growing up, that contest between Australia and New Zealand was so fierce and there was such a big rivalry, and that’s just a really wonderful thing that comes from our sport. I can’t wait for the Constellation Cup because I think it’s going to be an incredible challenge for both nations.
2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP 21
A BATTLE OF KNOWLEDGE 1.
In what year was the first Constellation Cup series played? a. b. c. d.
2.
6.
Sharelle McMahon Rebecca Bulley Catherine Cox Kim Green
7.
8.
2014 2015 2016 2017
Northern Ireland Fiji Japan Barbados
Who was the youngest player in the 2017 Constellation Cup series? a. b. c. d.
In what year was there a series draw between the two teams, resulting in the winner being determined by goal difference? a. b. c. d.
Which team did not play in the 2018 Commonwealth Games? a. b. c. d.
Who was the Diamonds captain in the first Constellation Cup series? a. b. c. d.
4.
2010 2011 2012 2013
True or false? Netball was first introduced to the Commonwealth Games in 2002. a. True b. False
In what year did New Zealand win the Constellation Cup? a. b. c. d.
3.
2007 2008 2009 2010
5.
Emily Mannix Maia Wilson Courtney Bruce Kelly Jury
Which team came third in the 2017 Quad Series? a. b. c. d.
Australia New Zealand South Africa England
BONUS QUESTIONS 9.
What was the series score in the first ever Constellation Cup? a. b. c. d.
AUS 2 v 1 NZL NZL 3 v 1 AUS AUS 3 v 2 NZL NZL 4 v 1 AUS
10. The year that New Zealand won the Constellation Cup, how many games did they win? a. b. c. d.
4 0 2 3
Quiz Answers: 1) d, 2) c, 3) a, 4) b, 5) b, 6) c, 7) b, 8) d, 9) a, 10) c 22 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
MEET YOUR NETSETGO AMBASSADORS Kelsey Browne - Samsung Diamond Age: 26 Position: WA, C
When did you start playing netball? I started playing netball at 5 years of age in prep. I don’t think I touched the ball in my whole first season. Why did you start playing netball? I started playing because my sister had already been playing for a few seasons and it looked like a lot of fun! My parents were driving her so I thought I may as well get involved. I think I loved the sport as soon as I got on that court. What’s your favourite netball tip? I love doing any ball handling drills or cone work. You get to work really hard and test your touch on the ball when you’re tired. Who was your sporting hero when you were a child? My sporting hero has always been my sister (Madi Robinson). She showed me that it can be done and I always love watching her play and seeing her craft.
Gretel Tippett - Samsung Diamond Age: 25 Position: GA
When did you start playing netball? 18 Why did you start playing netball? To regain my fitness after being sidelined for months with Glandular Fever during my WNBL basketball career. Why do you love netball? It’s a team game where you make friends for life. Who was your sporting hero when you were a child? My brothers
Find your nearest centre at netsetgo.asn.au 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP 23
WORLD CUP: A LOOK BACK/FORWARD Remember when Helen Housby was just a kid trying to make a name for herself as an international netballer?
Fast forward to the 2019 World Cup however, and what a tantalising proposition netball fans have on their plate.
Or when few people outside South Africa knew the name Karla Mostert?
Following England’s Commonwealth Games victory and Jamaica’s bronze medal win over New Zealand, what’s clear is that there is no such thing as certainties in this sport anymore.
Mostert is now Karla Pretorius, of course, but it was at the 2015 Netball World Cup that the future two-time Suncorp Super Netball champion really put herself on the radar of international coaches as one of the rising stars of world netball. Likewise, that World Cup was Housby’s first real outing as a starting seven player for the England Roses, with the tournament serving as a major launchpad for a huge number of international careers. For Australians the 2015 event will always hold a special place, of course, with a victory on home soil coming after a furious comeback by the Silver Ferns in the gold medal decider. But it was still largely a race in two, as the Aussies and the Kiwis were always considered an odds-on proposition to be playing off for gold.
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Australia and New Zealand are both on the rebound, England is now facing the prospect of being the ‘hunted’, Jamaica will still possess the biggest weapon in world netball in Jhaniele Fowler, and South Africa remains an ever-present threat under former Samsung Diamonds coach Norma Plummer. And let’s not forget Malawi and Uganda, who continue to grow in both confidence and stature as netballing nations, with Malawi having done what was once unthinkable and toppled the Silver Ferns on the Gold Coast. Throw a home Cup for England into the mix the event is to be held in Liverpool - and you’ve got all the makings of the most significant netball tournament the world has ever seen. It’s never too early to start getting excited.
Caitlin Bassett wears Gel Netburner Professional FF 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP 25
FAST5
NETBALL WORLD SERIES AUSTRALIA TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT The team, being led by West Coast Fever head coach Stacey Marinkovich for the second year running, features three Samsung Australian Diamonds squad members and six new additions to the 2017 team. Australia will be looking for redemption after finishing in third position last year, behind England and Jamaica.
2018 AUSTRALIAN FAST5 NETBALL WORLD SERIES TEAM JESSICA ANSTISS – WESTERN AUSTRALIA KIERA AUSTIN – NEW SOUTH WALES VERITY CHARLES – NEW SOUTH WALES SOPHIE GARBIN – WESTERN AUSTRALIA MATILDA GARRETT – VICTORIA KIMBERLEY JENNER – QUEENSLAND SARAH KLAU – SOUTH AUSTRALIA KATE MOLONEY – VICTORIA SAMANTHA POOLMAN – NEW SOUTH WALES KAYLIA STANTON – WESTERN AUSTRALIA This year is the final time the series will be played in Australia, where it has been hosted since 2016.
FOR FULL SCHEDULE AND TICKETS VISIT: FAST5WORLDSERIES.COM.AU
LIVE ON 26 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
*Check your local guides
2018 INTERNATIONAL TEST SERIES OPENING DOORS FOR AUSTRALIAN UMPIRES The 2018 International Test Series will hold a special place in the heart of Sydney based umpire Bronwen Adams, after she was awarded her International Umpire Award (IUA) after being tested in the New Zealand leg of the Netball Quad Series last month.
“I vividly remember sitting in the crowd of a test series match many years ago, being caught up in the atmosphere of the event and the spectacle of the game, and saying to my sister, ‘this is what I want to do – I want to be a part of this’,” said Adams.
The IUA is the pinnacle of the HighPerformance Umpiring program, allowing umpires to officiate games around the world.
After hearing of the testing taking place, Bronwen, who is usually good at putting pressure on herself, was feeling quite pragmatic about the process.
With a career spanning more than twenty years, Bronwen joined the High-Performance Umpiring Program, which quickly saw her achieve her All Australian (AA) Award in 2014. A career highlight soon followed when she was allocated her first Suncorp Super Netball match in 2017. Although the IUA was the only piece missing, Adams admits that it has always been about the game and the opportunities in the sport, rather than the badges and awards along the way. It wasn’t until she was in the crowd of an international match that Bronwen wanted to take her umpiring as far as possible.
“I knew I had done the work throughout the last two seasons and had the endorsement of our local high-performance Coaches and International Testing Panel, which helped greatly when it came to managing nerves, and meant I could instead just focus on the job,” said Adams. Not looking too far ahead, Adams remains focused on incremental improvements in umpiring techniques at the elite level, whilst remaining accurate and consistent in decision making. With the international season opening up for Bronwen, she is excited about the true diversity in the game - which will continue to provide considerable challenges.
“Obviously the possibility of more opportunities to travel and of course to meet new people across our sport, who share the same passion for what we do,” she said.
CONSTELLATION CUP UMPIRES Ian Fuller (England) Kate Stephenson (England) Anso Kemp (South Africa)
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GIRLS SHOULD “ MORE PLAY NETBALL. IT GIVES
ME SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND WORK HARD FOR. - Lilly
“
You can help girls like Lilly achieve their dreams. The Confident Girls Foundation provides opportunities to help vulnerable Australian girls to thrive. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: www.confidentgirls.com.au @ConfidentGirlsFoundation 28 2018 | CONSTELLATION CUP
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Let’s Target at least 30 minutes of heart-rate raising physical activity a day.
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Playing sport builds confidence for life. Start playing, keep playing. suncorp.com.au/teamgirls
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