The Origin Australian Diamonds have wrapped up their first camp under new Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich, with Queensland Firebirds Gabi Simpson, Gretel Bueta and Kim Jenner all enjoying the unique experience.
Far from a traditional national team camp, this gathering involved no netball, with the focus more on developing standards, culture and connection following a taxing 2020 season.
The 19 strong squad gathered in Noosa for the five-day camp, including some squad members who joined remotely from interstate, as the Diamonds began their journey towards the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and the 2023 Netball World Cup in South Africa.
Firebirds Defender and first time Diamond, Kim Jenner, believes the camp was a valuable experience in the context of the team’s next competitive phase.
“With a number of new faces in the squad, myself included, it was important that we invest the time to get to know each other as people first,” Jenner said.
“There were lots of activities focussed on developing our relationships and building our connections, which I know we’ll benefit from moving forward.”
Jenner also spoke of her excitement about reuniting with Marinkovich, who she first played under in the Australian Fast5 team.
“Stacey was excellent in outlining the vision for the team in the next few years and there was a real sense of excitement and passion amongst the group for what this next chapter could bring.”
With no international fixtures planned for the Diamonds in 2020, following the cancellation of both the Constellation Cup and Quad Series, attention now turns to what shapes as a busy 2021 for the Australian side.
The squad will likely come together again in January ahead of at least two Constellation Cup series next year, with the potential for further international games throughout 2021.
