Netball Australia has today announced the 2025-26 Australian Diamonds squad ahead of October’s South Africa Series and the Constellation Cup against the New Zealand Silver Ferns.
Eighteen of the country’s top athletes have been selected, along with four invitees, by Diamonds Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich and national selectors Anne Sargeant OAM and Michelle Wilkins.
NSW Swifts Premiership Champions Paige Hadley and Sarah Klau are selected once again while Teigan O'Shannassy, who has been a standout in the Swifts defence this year, has been chosen as an invitee.
Alongside current captain Liz Watson (Lightning) and vice-captain Hadley the squad features a balanced mix of experience and youth, including ten World Cup champions, nine Commonwealth Games gold medallists, and seven athletes under 25 years old.
Several Suncorp Super Netball captains are also among the squad, bringing added leadership and composure that will significantly contribute to Diamonds success.
The squad welcomes three Diamonds with the potential to debut, including Ash Ervin (Sunshine Coast Lightning), Hannah Mundy (Melbourne Vixens), and Alice Teague-Neeld (West Coast Fever), who has been elevated from invitee status following an impressive 2025 domestic season.
Additionally, four invitee athletes have been included, reflecting Netball Australia’s ongoing commitment to growing squad depth and providing targeted players with opportunities to showcase their capabilities within the Diamonds environment.
As well as O'Shannassy, the other invitees are Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Amy Sligar (Giants) and Donnell Wallam (Northern Mystics).
Erin O’Brien (Giants) will also join the squad as a temporary replacement player while O’Shannassy continues her recovery from the back injury that's ruled her out of the Swifts' Finals campaign.
“We’re really excited to bring this group together and continue building on court success over the next 12 months,” said Diamonds Head Coach Stacey Marinkovich.
“This squad brings together world class experience and rising talent, with a focus on connection, preparation and collective growth. The leadership from our experienced players named will inspire a competitive high-performance environment that can both challenge and support our younger athletes, while our youth will bring a new perspective and skill set to the mix.”
Marinkovich said the extended lead-in to October’s South Africa Series presents a valuable opportunity to lay important groundwork.
“With international test matches not until October, we have a great opportunity to prepare for what’s to come.
“It’s only 372 days until the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and every session, every match, every moment we get together is about setting ourselves up to be at our absolute best when it matters most.”
Netball Australia would also like to recognise Commonwealth Games Australia with their on-going partnership and direct support contributions. Along with initiatives ranging across coaching, data, competitions, and performance psychology and wellbeing.
The squad will come together for a five-day high-performance camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra in early September. A second preparation camp will follow from 19 September, leading into the Diamonds’ South Africa Series and Constellation Cup in October.
Every match of both series will be broadcast live and ad-break free during play on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
2025 - 2026 DIAMONDS SQUAD
- Sunday Aryang (West Coast Fever/ Western Australia)
- Kiera Austin (Melbourne Vixens/ New South Wales)
- Courtney Bruce (Sunshine Coast Lightning/ Western Australia)
- Sophie Dwyer (Giants Netball/ New South Wales)
- Ashleigh Ervin (Sunshine Coast Lightning/ Queensland)
- Sophie Garbin (Melbourne Vixens/ Western Australia)
- Matilda Garrett (Adelaide Thunderbirds/ Victoria)
- Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts/ New South Wales)
- Georgie Horjus (Adelaide Thunderbirds/ South Australia)
- Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts/ South Australia)
- Cara Koenen (Sunshine Coast Lightning/ Queensland)
- Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens/ Victoria)
- Hannah Mundy (Melbourne Vixens/ Victoria)
- Amy Parmenter (Melbourne Mavericks/ New South Wales)
- Jaimie-Lee Price (Giants Netball/ New South Wales)
- Alice Teague-Neeld (West Coast Fever/ Victoria)
- Liz Watson (Sunshine Coast Lightning/ Victoria)
- Joanna Weston (Melbourne Vixens/ Victoria)
2025 - 2026 INVITEES
- Lucy Austin (Adelaide Thunderbirds/ South Australia)
- Teigan O’Shannassy (NSW Swifts /New South Wales)
- Amy Sligar (Giants Netball/ New South Wales)
- Donnell Wallam (Northern Mystics/Western Australia)
2025 South Africa Series
- Game 1: Saturday 4 October – Red Energy Arena, Bendigo
- Game 2: Wednesday 8 October – WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong
- Game 3: Sunday 12 October – Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
2025 Constellation Cup
- Game 1: Friday 17 October – John Cain Arena, Melbourne
- Game 2: Wednesday 22 October – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney
- Game 3: Sunday 26 October – GLOBOX Arena, Hamilton
- Game 4: Wednesday 29 October – Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch
