KELSEY GETS TALL ORDER AS OUR KEY PLAYMAKER
PINT-SIZED midcourter Kelsey Browne will bring pace and a fresh perspective to Australia’s netball World Cup title defence, which starts in Liverpool tomorrow night. The 27-year-old former South Barwon junior was hand-picked by Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander as a specialist wing attack to drive the ball into the sharpshooting hands of captain Caitlin Bassett. “I’m probably a little bit different with my style of play and the way I see the game,” Browne (pictured) said. “I’ve been told I was included for my point of difference and the change-up I can bring to the side. “I’m vertically challenged so instead I bring speed to the game.” Browne is making her World Cup debut after two cracking seasons with Sunshine Coast Lightning and her early form with Collingwood Magpies in the Super Netball league, on top of promising efforts for Australia late last year. But when Alexander called to officially welcome her into the final 12-player side, she couldn’t get a word out. “We were given a timeslot to receive the call from the head coach,” Browne said. “Mine was 10.25am and I was crying befo before she’d even said, ‘hello’. “When she told me I had been selected I was a blubbering mess. “I couldn’t get a word out but I told her how grateful I was for the opportunity and that I couldn’t wait for the hard work ahead.”
The hard work starts tomorrow night for the highly fancied Diamonds when they open their campaign against Northern Ireland, coached by former Australian men’s player Dan Ryan and ranked eighth in the world.
For Browne, who has played much of her career following the footsteps of currently-injured sister Madi, it will be a moment to savour as the first sibling to reach the special milestone.
“We have had our share of turbulence and disagreements, and growing up in her shadow proved really challenging at times,” Browne said.
“However, we both say without that we wouldn’t be as strong as we are now.
“She doesn’t often give me advice and allows me to have my own experiences.
“I love that because we are different and will see things differently.”
Australia is favourite to win its fourth consecutive title at the World Cup, which runs until July 21.
Beyond the tournament, Browne has aspirations of competing in the Commonwealth Games, like her sister has done twice. But she’ll do it her own way. “I guess when I reflect on my journey I know it hasn’t been easy or ever handed to me on a silver platter,” she said.
“I’ve had to sacrifice and work super hard for everything I’ve achieved but to be honest I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s taught me invaluable lessons, allowed me to figure out the qualities that I admire and has proved to me that the strength of your character will take you a long way.”