NSW Swifts head coach Briony Akle will lead a 10-strong Australian side in New Zealand next month for the first FAST5 Netball World Series in four years.
The competition sees the world’s top six ranked teams play netball’s five-a-side condensed version across Saturday and Sunday, 5-6 November, at Christchurch Arena.
The 2022 series marks the first time the competition has run since 2018, when Australia placed third and New Zealand secured the series win.
As well as the reigning champions, Australia will come up against Jamaica, England, South Africa and Uganda.
Double premiership-winning coach Akle will have Cathy Fellows from the Adelaide Thunderbirds supporting as her assistant.
The selected Australian Fast5 team boasts a breadth of ability, comprising of experienced and emerging national talent, all of which play in Australia’s national Suncorp Super Netball League.
Eligible athletes were selected by the Australian Diamonds selection panel, with the opportunity of selection offering valuable competition experience to current and emerging Diamonds.
2022-23 Diamonds squad members Sophie Dwyer (Giants) and Sophie Garbin (Collingwood Magpies) will join Adelaide Thunderbirds’ goalers Lucy Austin and Georgie Horjus.
Jess Anstiss (West Coast Fever), Kelsey Browne (Collingwood Magpies) and Hannah Mundy (Melbourne Vixens) have been selected in the midcourt, alongside defenders Matilda McDonnell (Giants), Kim Jenner (West Coast Fever) and Tara Hinchliffe (Sunshine Coast Lightning).
Performance analyst Justin Weise and physiotherapist Amanda Simmonds will travel with the team as support staff.
Netball Australia Executive General Manager of Performance Stacey West said she was looking forward to seeing the Australian Fast5 team come together.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to return to the Fast5 stage in the upcoming Series in Christchurch,” West said.
“The Fast5 competition offers a dynamic variation of our game that gives a unique competition development experience to our selected athletes, coaching and support staff, and umpires.”
The squad of 13 athletes will travel to Canberra’s Australian Institute of Sport ahead of the Fast5 Netball World Series for a training camp.
Australian Fast5 Team
- Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
- Jess Anstiss (West Coast Fever)
- Kelsey Browne (Collingwood Magpies)
- Sophie Dwyer (Giants)
- Sophie Garbin (Collingwood Magpies)
- Tara Hinchcliffe (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
- Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
- Kim Jenner (West Coast Fever)
- Matilda McDonell (Giants)
- Hannah Mundy (Melbourne Vixens)
