Rudi Ellis on her breakout year and Diamonds debut

It’s hard to believe someone capable of representing their country, in a sport with over one million participants nationally, played just 76 minutes of netball in 2023.

It was the fourth year of Rudi Ellis’ career. Two years prior, after playing her first two seasons of Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) with the Queensland Firebirds, Ellis moved to West Coast Fever.

After two COVID-affected seasons, the specialist goal keeper was drawn to Fever to live closer to her partner’s family (AFL player Tim English) and improve her game alongside some of the best netballers in the world.

“It was either come back to Melbourne or push myself with Fever, and I think sometimes doing the thing that scares you most is often the best challenge,” Ellis said.

“I thought taking that gamble and then being able to play against people like Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard week in, week out, would benefit my game.”

Ellis has no regrets about her time west. She won a premiership with Fever in 2022, and was continuing to develop as an athlete despite struggling for court time behind Courtney Bruce, Sunday Aryang, Stacey Francis-Bayman, and later Kim Jenner.

In her two years at Fever, Ellis played just 154 minutes – the lowest court time of any SSN athlete permanently-contracted across both the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The dream of representing Australia was about the furthest thing from Ellis’ mind this time last year.

“I knew there were things that I needed to work on and things I needed to get better at… I just needed to be in a place where I got an opportunity to play, because I think that's the only way you really do get better,” she said.

After four seasons living interstate, the goal keeper’s priority was returning to the city she calls home and signing with the Melbourne Vixens.

“Vixens have always had a pretty special place in my heart. I really loved being here when I was a training partner [in 2019] and really have a lot of respect for the coaches, the girls, and the team.

“There was such a pull as well being close to my family, partner, and friends again, so I think it was a holistic choice.”

In Round 1, Ellis made the starting lineup, picking up six deflections and three rebounds throughout her first 60-minute SSN match since 2021.

By Round 5, coach Simone McKinnis was playing the 190cm defender – who had previously never touched the SSN midcourt – in wing defence.

“I loved it. I was definitely not great at it – the first time I played on Liz Watson she was running laps around me – but I think being able to learn a new position is so beneficial if you are ever needed in any sense or to be strategic,” Ellis said.

“But I definitely have a lot of work to do this pre-season to try and keep up with those wing attacks!”

The initial 2024-25 Australian Diamonds squad was announced in June without Ellis, but the defender was undeterred, finishing the domestic season in career-best form in Rounds 9 (82.5 Nissan Net Points and 5 gains) and 14 (62 NNP and 9 gains).

She played her first minutes in an SSN final for a total 621 minutes throughout the season – more than her four years at Firebirds and Fever combined.

That’s when Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich called, offering Ellis a place in the national team’s upcoming training camps as an invitee, replacing Vixens teammate Emily Mannix who announced her pregnancy post-SSN grand final in August.

“I was just so grateful and felt so privileged to even be an invitee, but Stacey said, ‘It’s fair game for everyone, so really put your best foot forward and absolutely have a crack at it,’ and that was my mindset going into camp,” Ellis said.

Ellis impressed at camp and was soon elevated to the travelling squad for the three-match test series against England in September.

“I honestly couldn't believe it… It was the most amazing feeling ever,” said Ellis. “It’s your dream as a little kid, so for that to actually come to fruition is unbelievable.”

Still arguably situated “behind” main squad member and fellow goal keeper Ashleigh Ervin, Ellis was running out on court in the green and gold dress in game one.

“The actual debut moment was crazy. [Diamonds assistant coach Nicole] Richo came over to me and said, ‘You're going on,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, are you sure?’

“I was so shocked that it was going to happen.”

Ellis played in three matches across the England Series and Constellation Cup, impressing with her vertical jump and physical intensity, and gaining experience against tall goal shooters Liv Tchine (191cm, England), and Grace Nweke (193cm, New Zealand).

It’s now back to Melbourne and Vixens pre-season for Ellis, who is focusing on her footwork and conditioning ahead of 2025.

“I think I just need to get my jump going even more, especially with all these tallies entering the league!

“I’m trying to get up there nice and quick… and moving my feet more so I'm able to contest those balls in the air.”

With Mannix due to give birth in January, it’s currently unknown how the Vixens’ final defensive lineup will look in the new season.

True to form, Ellis isn’t fazed. The resilient, ever positive, and now internationally experienced netballer’s only goal is becoming the best athlete she can possibly be, and it all starts at home.

“I’m challenging myself to be able to push myself in wing defence or goal defence – wherever the team might need me… There's lots of different moving parts before the season, and I just really want to work hard, continue to grow, and earn my bib,” Ellis said.

“Just being home, being around loved ones, and just being really happy as a person has made a big difference this year.

“It's been a great year in terms of growth, being able to learn, and happiness overall.”