#GC2018 | WA Duo Selected for Diamonds’ Title Defence

Published On: 5 February 2018

Caitlin Bassett will lead the Australian Diamonds into battle at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as they seek to defend the title they won in Glasgow in 2014.

Bassett will be joined by Western Australian Games debutant Courtney Bruce in a 12-member Australian squad that will be coached by Lisa Alexander.

The Diamonds will be firm favourites to win gold on home soil in April, with the Australian team having recently completed an emphatic victory at the International Quad Series in South Africa with a 68-48 victory over arch-rival New Zealand in the final.

Bassett and Bruce were both members of that squad, with the former having assumed captaincy of the national team last year, from Laura Geitz.

At 29 years of age, Bassett will represent Australia at a third Commonwealth Games and will form an integral part of the Diamonds’ plans in attack. West Coast Fever star Bruce, will spearhead Australia’s defensive unit with the 24 year-old having made a bold impression since her elevation to national duty in 2017.

 

Australia will compete in Pool A at the Commonwealth Games, were it will be joined by; Jamaica, South Africa, Barbados, Fiji and Northern Ireland.

Preliminary matches will be housed at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, whilst the finals will be showcased at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre.

Netball will feature as a Commonwealth Games sport for the sixth time, with Australia having won gold on three occasions to New Zealand’s two.

Western Australia has six athletes officially selected for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.