Diamonds coach names Caitlin Bassett
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich is hoping to convince Caitlin Bassett to stay in Australia, after naming her in the national squad. Marinkovich named five new players in the Constellation Cup side for January, including Sophie Garbin, Kim Jenner, Cara Koenen, Maddy Proud, returning squad member Jess Anstiss and Fever player Verity Charles.
Stuff understands the WaikatoBay of Plenty Magic have made a concerted effort to snare the 1.96m Bassett, but whether she opts to play in New Zealand next year is up in the air. The Magic have announced their defenders and midcourters for 2021, but are yet to confirm their shooters.
Netball Waikato-Bay of Plenty chief executive Rohan West declined to say on Wednesday whether they had been in talks with Bassett, but acknowledged they were firming up their shooting end. Marinkovich said she was eager to keep Bassett in Australia as the Diamonds skipper weighs up a move across the Tasman.
“We want to keep players playing in Australia.
“We want the world’s best competition,” she said. “So you look for avenues to be able to make sure that we have those opportunities.” Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua said she wouldn’t have any issue with Bassett playing in New
Zealand – believing it would be a boon for the competition.
“If I look bigger than just my role as Silver Ferns coach, for netball in New Zealand it’s fantastic. For her to come over to New Zealand and play in ANZ, I think there’s upside,’’ she told Stuff.
Bassett is in negotiations with the Giants over her future after a horror Super Netball season. She has received little court time as a side-effect of the super shot, which she has struggled to adapt to.She has some decisions to make but she does have the support of Netball Australia.
She is contracted until 2021 but is exploring the possibility of joining the ANZ Premiership, which does not use the super shot rule, after playing in just one game of the past four.
Bassett is one of the best shooters in the world, but her main talent is her incredible accuracy under the post, rather than from the outer portion of the goal circle. With Kiera Austin and Jo Harten the preferred shooting duo of Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald, Bassett may look to another Super Netball club. Marinkovich said she chose.Bassett for the Diamonds squad as she provides experiences at the back. The new Diamonds coach will need to help Bassett rebuild her confidence, which is believed to have taken a hit this season. Stuff