Australian coach Lisa Alexander has got her wish to include Winnaleah’s Kelsie Rainbow in the Diamonds shadow training squad ahead of the Constellation Test at the Silverdome.
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But the former Cavaliers midcourter could be ruled out over university commitments prior to the October 12 match against New Zealand.
Netball Tasmania’s high-performance manager Julie Hoornweg said she was flexible over Rainbow’s spot to train and prepare with the Diamonds players.
Rainbow can join Karana’s Kaitlin Petrie, Arrows’ Sophie Gunn and Kingston’s Emma Johns, all from Hobart.
Netballers announced on Tuesday to shadow Australia or “run against” New Zealand in a tense final session days before the Test were selected from promising TIS players.
But Rainbow, who has already been selected in the Australian under-20 squad for the 2017 World Youth Cup in Botswana, has been made the exception.
Alexander had told The Sunday Examiner: “If Kelsie is able to make it, definitely I’d like her (to come). I don’t know whether she can make it as she’s now in Melbourne.”
Rainbow is yet to commit to Alexander’s request that Hoornweg endorsed.
She was also unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
Rainbow, 21, relocated to Melbourne to play in its state league in addition to trials with ANL club Victorian Fury and training invitations from Melbourne Vixens.
Five Launceston TIS scholarship holders were also rubber-stamped to join New Zealand prior to the Test match, in which Hornweg believes will be for the Silver Ferns’ game practice.
“We just wanted to give them some opportunity here,” Hoornweg said.
Northern Hawks will be represented by club captain Ashton Whiley, keeper Gemma Poke and shooters Zoe Claridge and Ashlea Mawer.
Cavaliers defender Dana Lester will also join the group with Hobart’s Emily Handley.
But Lester’s clubmate Shelby Miller is unavailable for the October 11 practice.
Lester, Poke and Claridge formed the nucleus – along with Rainbow – of this year’s Tasmanian side in the 21-and-under national netball championships at the Silverdome in Launceston.
Hoornweg, who will coach the Auckland-based Mystics side in New Zealand’s newly revived national league next year, believes the experience will lift Tasmanian netball.
“To actually get in, work with them, feel the ball coming, quick decision-making and at speed will make a difference,” she said.
“For our girls to get this opportunity, for the following year, is just fantastic and it helps them be where they need to be.”
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
