Sunshine Coast Lightning goal shooter Cara Koenen is “super excited” and wants to prove herself after being selected in the Australian squad for their upcoming tour of New Zealand.
The 23-year-old has continued her rise in netball with a call-up to the 16-strong Diamonds for the Constellation Cup.
They will clash with the Silver Ferns at Christchurch on March 2 and March 3, with further matches at Tauranga on March 6 and March 7.
“To be named in the touring squad, I’m so elated and I’m really eager to get out on court and hopefully prove myself, getting the opportunity to pull on the green and gold,” she said.
“I’m definitely looking to put my best foot forward in camp over the coming days in Sydney.
“Debuting would be an absolute dream and anything else on top of that would be the icing on the cake.”
The squad will have to be in a 14-day quarantine upon arrival in New Zealand, with COVID-19 restrictions.
“Hopefully when we go over there, being in a hotel won’t be too difficult but I think everyone is really excited to get over there and play some netball,” she said.
Koenen has emerged as one of the rising stars on the Australian netball scene, after signing with the Lightning for their foundation year 2017.
She was part of the squad which claimed back-to-back premierships and become a pivotal player in attack from 2019, top scoring for them in their grand final loss to Swifts, and then featuring prominently enroute to third place in 2010.
She can play as goal shooter or goal attack.
Koenen has not rushed her pre-season.
“I’ve had a bit of time to rest and refresh. I didn’t want to get back into things too early in the year, after the year we had,” she said.
But she’s enjoyed her time at training with Lightning team-mates.
“We’re feeling energised,” she said.
“The group is really eager and ready to get going in 2021.”
From Townsville, she hopes selection into the Diamonds can inspire young players form regional Queensland.
“Me and Kim Jenner are coming through the ranks and we’re both Townsville born and bred, so it’s very exciting for north Queensland,” she said.
“I’ve always felt the love from up north and I know they’re cheering us on from afar.
“We’ve got so much talent in the regional areas that’s kind of untapped so if we can promote the game out there, I think we’ll have a lot more girls coming through.”
Fellow Lightning player and Diamonds regular Steph Wood will miss the tour to focus on recovery from post-season knee surgery. She is expected to be for the Super Netball season, starting on May 1.
“I think Steph’s taking her time with her rehab. She wants to do things right and her priority is putting her best foot forward for us at Lightning,” Koenen said.
“I will miss her on tour. It would have been special to have her there with me.”
