St Clair netball junior and NSW Swifts vice-captain Paige Hadley will lead the local charge at the 2019 Netball World Cup this July.
The 26-year-old was one of 12 players named in the Australian Diamonds squad that will travel to England next month to battle it out for netball supremacy.
Hadley was part of the victorious Australian team at the 2015 World Cup in Sydney, and recently made her return to the squad after impressing selectors at training camp earlier this year.
Hadley will be joined in the national team alongside two Giants Netball players in Caitlin Bassett and Jamie-Lee Price. Bassett will once again skipper the Diamonds, while young midcourter Price will play in her first Netball World Cup.
After making her international debut in New Zealand late last year, 23-year-old Price has cemented herself as one of the best defensive midcourters in the Super Netball competition.
Diamonds head coach Lisa Alexander said the selection process was one of the most comprehensive she has been involved in.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the final team that has been selected to compete in Liverpool,” she said.
“It’s been a difficult process due to the depth of talent and experience within our Diamonds squad. However, it’s our job to select the team that will successfully compete on the international stage, with consideration for the back-to-back nature and varying game styles within the tournament.
“We’re delighted for the athletes who have been selected, it’s such great recognition for all their hard work and dedication, we are excited to be taking this team to Liverpool to represent our country.”
While much of the focus will be on the Diamonds in Liverpool, a number of fellow western Sydney players will be representing other countries at this year’s World Cup.
Giants vice-captain Jo Harten has been named in the English Roses squad, while young Panthers Premier League player Kaitlyn Fisher will represent Fiji.
The 2019 Netball World Cup will be held in Liverpool from July 12-21.
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender’s Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.
