For the first time in the history of the game, the upcoming International Series will feature a men's International Series alongside the Origin Australian Diamonds' clashes with England and New Zealand.
The Australian Men’s team will play three games against New Zealand and one against England.
Men’s team member and GIANTS unofficial training partner, Taylor Glassie, said it means the world to the men's side to be featured alongside the women.
“To don the green and gold alongside the Diamonds, alongside some of our best friends, it’s such an incredible feeling and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
The Australian Men’s & Mixed Netball (AMMNA), the governing body for the men’s game, was founded in 1985 (formeley All-Australian Men’s Netball Association).
While it has faced some challenges, the men’s game continues to grow and has seen exponential growth over recent years.
“Men’s netball is heading in such a good place and firstly we must credit those that have come before us,” Glassie said.
“The amount of skill and knowledge they have passed on and just the work and foundations they have set for us, has put us into a position like now where we’re going to be in the spotlight.
“I think over recent years though we’ve been putting up our hands to do a lot more with the girls at club level and I think that’s paying off.”
Glassie has been training with the GIANTS for the past 12 months to better himself but also add a different dynamic and style of play for the GIANTS players to train against.
“The amount of love, effort and time Julie, (assistant coach) Jenny and the team have put into me, honestly, I can’t thank them enough,” he said.
“My netball has really improved - just in my footwork and my ability to see the game differently.
“The men’s game is very aerial and fast, but the women’s game, they use their bodies well but their brains even better – so to have that insight and train alongside them has been amazing.”
The rivalry between Australia and New Zealand is well and truly established, whereas England are a new opponent for the Men’s side.
“[England] is a very new look thing, we haven’t played them before,” Glassie said.
“New Zealand, they love the space game, so they can go for the hunt. They have a lot of Kiwi flair, which has always been their game.
“I think what we need to do is stick to our traditional game, which is that cool, calm collected netball but also have the pace and fitness.”
The men’s International Series gets underway on Wednesday as a curtain raiser to the Origin Diamonds' match against New Zealand.
Schedule:
Australia v New Zealand - Wednesday, October 12, 3:20pm.
Origin Diamonds v Silver Ferns - Wednesday, October 12, 5:30pm
Spark Arena,
Australia v New Zealand – Friday, October 14, 5:00pm
Auckland, New Zealand
Origin Diamonds v Silver Ferns - Sunday, October 16, 5:30pm
Australia v New Zealand – Sunday, October 19, 5:15pm
Origin Diamonds v Silver Ferns - Sunday, October 19, 7:30pm
John Cain Arena
Australia v England – Sunday, October 30, 5:15pm
Origin Diamonds v England Roses - Sunday, October 30 - 7:30pm
Qudos Bank Arena
