Diamonds into selection camp ahead of internationals

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The Australian Diamonds have arrived at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra for a four-day selection camp ahead of the 2012 international season.

The camp will see 22 players vie for Diamonds selection ahead of the three-Test Constellation Cup series against New Zealand Silver Ferns and the six-Test Quad-Series featuring New Zealand, England and South Africa.

Ashleigh Brazill, Karyn Howarth and Tegan Caldwell are making their national squad debuts while Thunderbirds’ Maddy Proud, Fever’s Chanel Gomes and Firebirds’ Elissa Macleod join the squad as camp invitees.

As a former invitee to the camp in previous years, Brazill is thrilled to finally be a part of the athletes contesting selection.

“I’m very excited but obviously nervous,” Brazill said.

“It’s great to be here, doing it for friends and family who have supported you throughout your whole career and now warming up and training with the Diamonds girls is a dream come true really.”

The camp will see the Diamonds participate in a series of off-court meetings and education sessions on Wednesday before hitting the court on Thursday with training sessions and match play for the rest of the week.

The players will be put through their paces over the next four days as selectors Anne Sargeant, Carol Sykes and coach Lisa Alexander keep a close eye on proceedings before selecting a team on Saturday.

Tickets are still available for the 2012 Constellation Cup Test in Melbourne at Hisense Arena along with the Quad-Series, featuring Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa, in Adelaide, Newcastle and Sydney via www.ticketek.com.au.