The Australian Origin Diamonds have just ended a five-day camp in Noosa under the guidance of new Diamonds Coach Stacey Marinkovich.
With international netball off the cards for 2020, the recently selected squad of 19 gathered to welcome new players, a new coach and begin preparations for a much-anticipated return of international netball in 2021.
Of the four teams that didn’t make the finals this season, that left three of the 19 Diamonds squad members (all GIANTS) in limbo from the final round 14 match until day one of the camp.
With permission from Diamonds coaching and medical staff, Kiera Austin and Caitlin Bassett opted to return to Sydney and join the camp remotely while Jamie-Lee Price stayed on in Queensland with her family.
Price said she was fortunate to have family in Queensland not only whilst waiting for camp but throughout the whole season.
“I can’t complain – I was really lucky to have family in Queensland and I enjoyed spending time with my family and partner whilst waiting for camp,” she said.
“Camp was great – it was nice to reconnect with the girls and get to know some of the new squad members.
“We got to know Stacey, what she’s about and what she wants to bring to this environment. And likewise, she wanted to get to know us and what we’re all about – I think it’s very important to get to know each other before heading into this next cycle.”
Given the nature of the season, the approach to camp was slightly different to normal with no on-court commitments.
“We had a lot of meetings which were very beneficial. We went on a boat cruise, did a few physical activities and went to double island for the day,” said Price.
Kiera Austin, who joined the camp remotely, said whilst her experience was a little different it was still great to be involved.
“Bass and I were zoomed into every session and went into our breakout rooms to be part of the smaller discussions too,” said Austin.
“We were a part of all the theory-based discussions, to listen, discuss and contribute to conversation”
Austin, alongside current Diamonds Captain Caitlin Bassett made the decision to head home following the GIANTS’ final match.
“At the time that three-week wait to camp felt daunting,” admitted Austin.
“We were given a budget to work within for that period of time to find accommodation and given it was school holidays it was near impossible.
“I also had university commitments at home that were planned prior and I didn’t want to risk financial or academic penalty.
“It was hard when the camp eventually came around because after having some down time and time back home, I was in a different head space and I would have loved to be there.”
For our two Diamonds in orange they’ll spend the rest of 2020 remaining fit and healthy in anticipation of another camp in January and hopefully some international netball.
