There wasn’t a dry eye amongst those watching at the venue or via Fox Netball on Wednesday night as Amy Parmenter made her Origin Australian Diamonds debut.
First selected in the Australian Diamonds squad in 2021, Parmenter finally got her opportunity in game one of the 2022 Constellation Cup in New Zealand.
Given the wing defence bib in the starting seven, Parmenter’s dream of becoming a Diamond became a reality.
Standing side by her side with teammates during the national anthem, with some of the Parmy Army in the stands, you could see how much it meant to Parmenter as a smile beamed from ear to ear and tears welled in her eyes.
Even after the Diamonds fell eight goals short to the Silver Ferns in game one, you couldn’t wipe the smile off the 25-year-old’s face.
“First the first time ever, not even a loss can take this smile off my face,” Parmenter said via Instagram.
Parmenter played the full 60 minutes in wing defence in her debut game.
“To be honest I was just so happy to be running out with this bib on – I was taking any minutes I could get,” she told Sky Sports post-match.
“For them to give me the whole game, I think it let me settle into it a bit.
“I think I was very nervous in the first half but then I sort of got my nerves under control and yeah, it was just such a dream come true to play with these girls and in this dress.”
Parmenter spoke about what she learnt and acknowledged the different style of play at the International level.
“In Australia we play a lot more of a one-on-one style, it’s a lot tighter, whereas New Zealand play a lot more off the body so you have to be really careful – it’s all about readjusting,” she said.
“It’s not just the first move you have to cover, there’s lots of moves, they do lots of dodges and they’re super quick, they’ll just give and go.
“My nerves are out the window now and I’m ready to give it another crack.”
GIANTS teammate Jamie-Lee Price also took the court alongside Parmenter in the squad of 12 for game one.
Price entered the game in centre part way through the second quarter and was among the best for the Diamonds.
Her strength in defence and drive in attack helped Australia claw back an 11-goal deficit and narrow the gap to New Zealand in the middle two quarters of the game.
Game two of the Constellation Cup series is on Sunday at Trustpower Arena in New Zealand, with the game getting under at 5:30pm AEDT.
GIANTS fans can watch the match via Foxtel or Kayo Sports.
