Three GIANTS have been included in an 18-strong 2022-23 Origin Australian Diamonds squad ahead of this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Capped Diamonds Jamie-Lee Price, alongside young guns Sophie Dwyer and Amy Parmenter.
Price and Dwyer were part of the Diamonds squad that travelled to the Netball Quad series in London earlier this year. Price played in three of the five matches, while Dwyer was the only player not to take the court but made the most of being part of the training environment.
There is one addition to the 2022-23 squad, with Queensland Firebirds’ goal shooter Donnell Wallam impressing Origin Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich.
A proud Noongar woman, Wallam burst onto the Suncorp Super Netball stage this season, shooting 210 goals across the first five rounds.
Alongside Dwyer and Parmenter, exciting youngster Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever), holds onto her position in the squad, alongside Diamonds leaders captain Liz Watson and vice-captain Steph Wood.
The Diamonds were crowned champions at the Netball Quad Series in January and are ranked world number one ahead of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games from July 29 to August 9.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games team of 12 athletes will be selected from the Diamonds squad.
The squad was selected by Marinkovich and national selectors Anne Sargeant OAM and Michelle Wilkins.
A squad of up to 22 athletes can be selected, with Marinkovich declaring positions are still up for grabs.
“Selection definitely hasn’t been an easy task,” Marinkovich said.
“We have such a great depth of talent within our system across every position on the court and I congratulate those who have been selected.
“After showing great accuracy and strength at the post during her debut Suncorp Super Netball season, Donnell Wallam has been selected in the Diamonds squad.
“We have selected 18 athletes and will continue to closely monitor performances throughout the Suncorp Super Netball season, with the potential to add to the squad throughout the year.
“This squad showcases an incredible breadth of experience and new emerging talent.
“We have our sights firmly set on the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and we are also incredibly excited for international netball to return to Australian soil later this year.”
Netball Australia is currently working through the Origin Australian Diamonds international fixtures, including the Constellation Cup, with more information to be shared in the coming months.
2022-23 Origin Australian Diamonds squad
Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever/Western Australia)
Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens/New South Wales)
Ash Brazill (Collingwood Magpies/New South Wales)
Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever/Western Australia)
Gretel Bueta (Queensland Firebirds/Queensland)
Sophie Dwyer (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
Sophie Garbin (Collingwood Magpies/Western Australia)
Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts/New South Wales)
Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts/South Australia)
Cara Koenen (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)
Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
Amy Parmenter (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball/New South Wales)
Maddy Turner (NSW Swifts/South Australia)
Donnell Wallam (Queensland Firebirds/Western Australia)
Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens/Victoria)
Stephanie Wood (Sunshine Coast Lightning/Queensland)