The Australian Diamonds are training in earnest on the Sunshine Coast.
Twenty players, including Sunshine Coasters Steph Wood and Cara Koenen, were invited to the camp, which could last for a week or two.
They were set to collide with the Roses next month, but the series was cancelled on Saturday, due to COVID-19 travel and quarantine difficulties.
Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich said the training camp focused on on-court performance and building connections.
“Throughout the camp we will focus on defining roles, driving our culture and building our brand of play,” she said via a Netball Australia release.
Much of their training is at the University of the Sunshine Coast, which is the home to the region’s national league team, the Lightning.
Mid-court star Liz Watson, 27, was named captain of the Diamonds last week, and goal attack Wood, 29, was named vice-captain.
They were voted into the leadership positions by their teammates and a selection committee, last week.
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Watson was sidelined for most of this year after having foot surgery.
“I am very humbled and proud to be acknowledged by my teammates,” she said.
“I love this sport, I love this team and I love this country. To be given the honour as captain of the Origin Australian Diamonds is something I will forever be thankful for.”
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Meanwhile, Wood was stunned to be anointed vice-captain.
“It is an honour to be named as vice-captain,” she said.
“It was a shock when Stacey told me, but I am very excited to see what this group can do as we build towards the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Netball World Cup.”
Wood is a foundation player for the Sunshine Coast Lightning, joining the team prior to their 2017 season.
She has become a force on the domestic and international stage, after making her Diamonds debut in 2016.
Marinkovich congratulated the duo.
“Liz’s passion and drive for success is evident and she has a fantastic ability to stay calm whilst continuing to empower players around her,” she said.
“Steph is an ultimate team player, and her leadership reflects the type of person she is – she is highly respected and leads by example on the court.”
