Bright young talent set to shine for Australia’s Fast5 team
Five of Australian netball’s brightest up-and-coming talents have been chosen in the Australian Fast5 team for November’s Fast5 Netball World Series in New Zealand.
Selectors have chosen five members of the Australian 21/U side - Gabi Simpson, Paige Hadley, Courtney Bruce, Gretel Tippett and Jo Weston - in their squad of 10 players, giving them their first exposure to international netball at the top level.
The team for the Fast5 Netball World Series, being played in Auckland from 8-10 November, also features defender Demelza McCloud, who was recently recalled to the Australian Diamonds team after an absence of eight years.
Shooters Susan Pratley and Tegan Caldwell and midcourter Ashleigh Brazill have also been part of Diamonds teams or squads.
The Australian Fast5 team will be coached by former West Coast Fever coach Jane Searle, who also played 15 Tests for Australia.
Searle said she’s looking forward to seeing how the Australian 21/U players perform at the next level.
“It’s the first time they would have been up against the New Zealand Silver Ferns and England, so it will be a great test for them,” Searle said.
“But they will have gained a lot of experience from being involved in the upcoming World Youth Netball Championships and we’re confident they can maintain that momentum going into the Fast5 World Series.”
Tippett and Weston are the only members of the team not to have played at ANZ Championship level. Weston was a replacement player with the Melbourne Vixens in 2012 and Tippett, who has signed with the NSW Swifts for 2014, filled a similar role with the Mission Queensland Firebirds this season.
Selectors have chosen a good blend of youth and experience in the side and Searle said the Fast5 World Series was an opportunity to push their claims for future Diamonds selection.
“I think we’ve got a really exciting team,” Searle said.
“Our experienced players have got an eye on next year’s Commonwealth Games as well as the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, so they are keen to show they’re capable of learning to play a different style of netball, experimenting with their games and still wanting to be the best.
“We’ve also got the up-and-coming future of Australian netball. We’ve gone with a quick side that can move the ball fast and still have good skills and so I’m excited to be part of the Fast5 World Series. The format lends itself to experimentation and creative plays.”
Adelaide Thunderbirds championship-winning coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson will be an assistant coach with the team and Searle is looking forward to working with her at International level.
“We’ve had some great talks already discussing strategy and we’re both keen to work together and do well with the Fast5 team,” Searle said.
“We’re looking forward to sharing ideas and strategies.”
The Australian Fast5 Team for the Fast5 Netball World Series is:
(ANZ Championship team/state of origin)
Ashleigh BRAZILL (West Coast Fever/NSW) Courtney BRUCE (West Coast Fever/WA) Tegan CALDWELL (Melbourne Vixens/VIC) Carla DZIWOKI (NSW Swifts/SA) Paige HADLEY (NSW Swifts/NSW) Demelza McCLOUD (Queensland Firebirds/QLD) Susan PRATLEY (NSW Swifts/NSW) Gabi SIMPSON (Queensland Firebirds/NSW) Gretel TIPPETT (NSW Swifts/QLD) Jo WESTON (VIC).
